The death toll from coronavirus since the start of the epidemic in Israel stood at 991 on Friday morning following three more deaths after midnight Thursday, the Health Ministry reported.
In total, the number of Israelis who have contracted coronavirus stood at 125,755, 2,766 of whom were identified from Thursday to Friday. The rate of positive test results for that same period stood at 6.3%, or 666 positives from 10,751 tests processed.
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As of Friday, there were 25,277 active or symptomatic coronavirus patients in Israel, with 828 hospitalized. Of the hospitalized patients, 416 were listed in serious condition, including 123 on ventilators. Another 131 patients were listed in moderate condition.
There were 2,140 medical workers in quarantine, including 333 doctors, 589 nurses, and 1,218 members of other health care professions.
Israel's national coordinator of the battle against coronavirus Professor Ronni Gamzu has issued a clarification about the partial lockdown set to begin Sunday in cities, towns, and local authorities designated "red" under the traffic light system.
Gamzu put out a statement on Friday explaining that the decision to instate a full lockdown would apply only to "the eight towns with especially high infection rates." However, a list of the cities deemed "especially high" would be compiled only this weekend, and subject to cabinet approval on Sunday, the statement said.
The statement noted that "the decision by the Corona cabinet gives the team of experts under Professor Gamzu the authority to expand the list of red cities that will come under a full lockdown."
The rest of the red cities and towns, Gamzu said, would be subject to restricted movement but not a full lockdown.
Meanwhile, the Israel Police have begun preparations to enforce lockdowns wherever the government decides to declare them, acting Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. Moti Cohen announced Thursday.
Cohen said that the Israel Police's airborne unit would direct police forces on the ground. Cohen also said that enforcement would be increased in business areas to ensure that public health regulations for shopping malls and stores were observed.
"We will not hesitate to close businesses that violate the regulations and we will continue to fine those who violate the law and put public health at risk," Cohen said.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz has instructed the IDF to be ready to deploy hundreds of soldiers, and even extend the call-ups of some 7,000 reservists, in order to supplement the Israel Police. Gantz has also instructed the Home Front Command to step up its activities in red cities, and focus its efforts on contact tracing, testing, and helping distribute food parcels and assisting local authorities.
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