Israel registers record daily coronavirus cases

Israel has recorded its highest daily number of coronavirus cases with nearly 11,000 new infections, amid a surge caused by the highly transmissible Delta variant as schools prepare to re-open. The previous high came on 18 January, with 10,118 cases. Despite Tuesday’s 10,947 confirmed cases, Israel is pressing ahead with plans to fully open its school system on Wednesday as it tries to boost vaccination rates. The prime minister, Naftali Bennett – a critic of the cycle of lockdowns implemented by his predecessor, Benjamin Netanyahu – has maintained that the surge can be controlled through vaccination and protective measures such as masks.