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JERUSALEM, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- The total number of COVID-19 cases in Israel soared to 124,455 on Thursday, with 2,991 new cases, the state's Ministry of Health said.

It is the highest daily rise since the outbreak of the pandemic in Israel in late February, as the previous record was 2,926 registered on Wednesday.

The death toll in Israel rose to 985, with 16 new deaths, while the total number of patients in serious condition decreased from 423 to 417, out of 849 patients currently hospitalized, the ministry said.

The tally of recoveries increased to 98,645 with the addition of 1,411 new recoveries, while the number of active cases rose to 24,825, it added.

Earlier on Thursday, Israel's Corona Cabinet decided to impose lockdowns on 30 cities and towns starting next Monday, to curb the pandemic spread.

These are places with the highest morbidity rates, recently declared as "red" zones under a new program, which classifies all places into four colors according to morbidity level.

The lockdown measures will include traffic restrictions, night curfews, limitations on shops and other businesses, and the closure of all schools and kindergartens.