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.

■ 6,092 Israelis have so far tested positive for the coronavirus; Twenty-nine have died, 95 are in serious condition and 81 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 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

8:33 A.M. 78-year-old coronavirus patient passes away, raising death toll to 29

A 78-year-old man with severe underlying health conditions died overnight Wednesday after testing positive for COVID-19. He is Israel’s 29 coronavirus fatality.

The Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon said that the man was admitted last week and his situation deteriorated and he was intubated over the weekend. (Ido Efrati)  

 8:08 A.M. 95-year-old man passes away, bringing Israel’s coronavirus death toll to 28

The Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer said that a 95-year-old man with serious underlying health problems died on Wednesday evening, raising Israel's coronavirus death toll to 28. (Bar Peleg)  

8:01 A.M. 77-year-old man dies from COVID-19, raising Israel’s death toll to 27

Haemek Hospital in Afula said that a 77-year-old coronavirus patient passed away overnight Wednesday. The man suffered from serious underlying health conditions. (Noa Spiegel)