Israeli Health Minister Diagnosed With Coronavirus, Mossad Chief to Enter Quarantine

As the highly contagious coronavirus spreads around the world, Israel and the Palestinians struggle to contain a local outbreak that has virtually halted daily life and led to tens of thousands of people entering quarantine.

■ 6,211 Israelis have so far tested positive for the coronavirus; Thirty-one people have died, 107 are in serious condition and 83 are on life support. One Israeli tourist died in Italy. So far, 241 have recovered.

■ In the West Bank, 122 cases have been diagnosed so far. One woman in her 60s died. In Gaza, 12 cases were diagnosed, the first two after returning from Pakistan.

■ Israel's government intensified restrictions on movement, banning public gatherings, including for prayer, and limiting outings to two people from the same household. Authorities have also called upon citizens to wear face masks in public to better protect themselves and others from the virus. Guidelines explained

■ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would limit movement to and from the largely ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, which has become a hot spot for the spread of the virus.

■ Netanyahu pledges special "Passover" grant to families which will include 500 shekels per child for the first four. A similar grant has been promised for senior citizens. Both are still pending parliament approval.

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– Bibi’s impossible victory and Israel’s corona blind spots

Haaretz Weekly Ep. 72

■ For information on the Health Ministry's app that tracks contact with confirmed coronavirus patients, click here. For Health Ministry's official website on the corovavirus outbreak, click here.

LIVE UPDATES

9:33 A.M. Number of coronavirus deaths in Israel jumps to 31

A 72-year-old man died from the coronavirus on Wednesday, according to the Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv.

The man was admitted to the hospital last week with serious underlying health conditions. (Bar Peleg)

9:18 A.M. Israel’s Health Ministry director general to enter quarantine

Health Ministry Director General Moshe Bar Siman Tov is required to enter quarantine after having met with Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, who tested positive for the coronavirus overnight Wednesday. (Haaretz)

9:13 A.M. 87-year-old man succumbs to COVID-19, bringing coronavirus death toll to 30

The Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva said that an 87-year-old man diagnosed with COVID-19 had died Thursday morning.