Coronavirus Israel Live: Closure on ultra-Orthodox Hot Spots Eased

■ 13,654 Israelis have so far tested positive for the coronavirus; 173  people have died. In the West Bank, 314 cases have been diagnosed so far. Two have died. In Gaza, 15 cases have been diagnosed. 

Coronavirus tracker: Live statistics of cases and deaths in Israel and worldwide

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– Bibi’s got the perfect exit strategy – just not for the coronavirus

Bibi’s got the perfect exit strategy – just not for the coronavirusHaaretz

■ The Israeli government approved a series of steps to ease the lockdown restrictions, including allowing group prayer, partial reopening of the economy and certain stores, and fines for not wearing masks in public.

Do or don't: Israel's Health Ministry explains coronavirus restrictions

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– corona-stats

■ The government decided to relax curfew regulations on the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, a coronavirus hotspot, as well as a curfew on Jerusalem neighborhoods with a high infection rate; a curfew was imposed on the Arab town of Deir al-Asad in the Galilee

■ There will be no Ramadan prayers in Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque, the Waqf religious authorities announced, as some fear a spike in coronavirus cases could happen during Islam's holiest month

LIVE UPDATES

11:41 A.M. Despite relaxation of lockdown rules, rabbis recommend praying alone

Rabbis in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak issued a collective recommendation urging the faithful in the coronavirus hot spot to avoid collective prayer. (Bar Peleg) 

11:26 A.M. Five more cases confirmed in the West Bank, bringing total to 314

Five more people have tested positive for coronavirus, the Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed. 

The total number of confirmed cases is now 314. There are a further 15 diagnosed patients in the Gaza Strip and 120 in East Jerusalem. (Jack Khoury)

9:22 A.M. Israel Health Ministry releases updated figures, 13,654 confirmed cases, 173 dead

The newest figures released by the ministry confirmed 163 more cases of coronavirus infection, up to 13,654. One more person died since the last update, released on Sunday night, bringing the total death toll to 173.

150 patients are in serious condition and 114 on respirators, while 3,872 have recovered.