Israeli Who Visited Italy Tests Positive for Coronavirus

An Israeli man became on Thursday the first in the country to test positive for coronavirus, as governments worldwide ramp up measures to battle a looming global pandemic.

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– Haaretz Weekly Ep. 65

Israel’s ready for corona – but not for women in powerHaaretz Weekly Ep. 65

For the first time, the number of infections outside China, the source of the outbreak, surpassed those appearing inside the country.

The coronavirus has infected more than 80,000 people and killed nearly 2,800, the majority in China. There have been 3,246 cases outside China, including 51 deaths, according to a Reuters tally. 

Many of the cases appearing in the Middle East have been linked to Iran, which has had 141 cases and 22 deaths, the most outside China.

3:22 P.M. Iran cancels Friday prayers in Tehran amid virus outbreak, report says

Friday prayers have been canceled in Tehran and elsewhere in the Islamic Republic over the outbreak of new coronavirus, Semiofficial news agencies in Iran reported.

The news came Thursday as Iran drastically increased the number of confirmed cases of the virus by over 100 to 254, with 26 deaths. (The Associated Press) 

1:59 P.M. Two more people die from virus in Italy

Two more people have died in Italy from coronavirus, bringing the death toll from the worst outbreak of the disease yet seen in Europe to 14, the Civil Protection agency said in a statement on Thursday.

The agency chief, Angelo Borrelli, had earlier told reporters that officials were still seeking confirmation that coronavirus was responsible for the latest two deaths. The number of confirmed cases has risen to 528 from some 420 announced on Wednesday, the vast majority in northern Italy. (Reuters)
 

12:40 P.M. Number of dead from virus in Iran rises to 26 

Iran says the new coronavirus has killed 26 people amid 245 confirmed cases in the Islamic Republic, a significant increase in the number of known cases.

Iran Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour gave the new toll on Thursday in a televised news conference. He said the large number in new cases came from more labs now testing for the virus.

He said there could be other large increases in the coming days. (The Associated Press)

12:36 P.M. Over 1,500 Israelis in quarantine