(I24) The new figures show that the positivity rate case climbed down to 1.8 percent

Israel’s Health Ministry said on Saturday evening that 674 new coronavirus cases have been identified over the past 24 hours, with some 32,615 tests being carried out.

The new figures show that the positivity rate case climbed down to 1.8 percent, a figure that had not been reached since last June.

It should be noted, however, that testing across Israel dramatically declines over the weekend due to Shabbat.

According to the latest report from the ministry, the number of active patients also continues to fall. On Saturday evening, 10,684 Israelis were infected with the coronavirus, compared to 11,254 on Friday morning.

In addition, 419 patients are still in critical condition, including 182 on respiratory assistance.

The number of deaths linked to COVID-19 was 2,523 on Saturday evening, two more than the day before.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled that stores and businesses may soon be reopened and that government ministers are currently in talks on how to reopen the economy.

Most health experts agree that restrictions can start to ease if daily cases across the country drop below 500.

Israel began a very gradual deconfinement last week after seeing a drop in the number of cases of infected people, a month after the restrictions came into force.

National parks and beaches have reopened, businesses that do not interact with the public have been able to resume work and young children have found their way back to kindergarten and preschool.