Coronavirus Outbreak

Some 2,500 healthcare workers are under quarantine prompting calls to ensure medical teams are protected. Health Ministry readies to exacerbate steps seeking to stem outbreak.

“We’re not by any way saying there is aerosolized transmission of the virus,” but this work shows that the virus stays viable for long periods in those conditions, says study leader.

"We must do everything we can to fight the coronavirus outbreak," PM Netanyahu says on live television.

As Israelis grapple with the mounting restrictions to contain the novel coronavirus outbreak, Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi David Lau charts roadmap for observant Jews.

Of those diagnosed, 91 are in hospital, one was being admitted and five were being treated at home, Health Ministry says. Two COVID-19 patients are in serious condition, and three Israelis have recovered from the disease.

By using the charged word “pandemic” after shying away from calling it so earlier, the UN health agency sought to shock lethargic countries into pulling out all the stops in dealing with COVID-19 disease.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu appeals to Israelis "to make sacrifices" by changing their daily lives. New measures could also mean changes to the school year.

Goverment to allocate 10 billion shekels to help businesses and industries adversely affected by the novel coronavirus as Israel expands containment measures. "The coronavirus will have a big impact, but we are entering this crisis in good shape compared to other countries," Netanyahu says.

New patients include nine-year-old boy from central Israel. Member of epidemic management team: Self-quarantine orders for travelers could be eased if virus begins to spread locally.

In hard-hit Iran meanwhile, the outbreak kills 54 more people and pushes the nation's death toll to 291. Lebanon records its first known coronavirus death. In Egypt, there are at least 59 confirmed cases of coronavirus.