Coronavirus Outbreak

Researchers in Israel successfully vaccinate poultry from a strain that is very similar to the novel coronavirus. Safety testing for humans likely to begin within 90 days, they say.

Finance Ministry says COVID-19 virus could reduce Israel's gross domestic product by up to NIS 14 billion. Exports to China, which focus mainly on technology services, unlikely to be affected.

Prof. Marc Lipsitch, an epidemiologist at Harvard University, says the likely outcome is that COVID-19 "will ultimately not be containable," but this doesn't mean we will all have severe illnesses.

Almost half say they think the public will ignore the Health Ministry’s instructions for Israelis returning from the Far East to quarantine themselves until they are determined to be virus-free.

Prof. Amiram Goldblum urges government to quarantine haredi towns and neighborhoods, claims virus is being spread by “mezuza-kissing Jews” who caught it from Korean tourists. Hebrew University condemns scholar’s comments as “racist and disgraceful.”

World Health Organization insists it is premature to declare virus a global pandemic even though it had the potential to reach that level. US pledges $1 billion for vaccine, UN warns world must avert "dramatic" effects of coronavirus on the global economy.

Foreign Ministry calls an emergency meeting to assess the impact of what it calls "the pilgrims affair," after 18 South Korean nationals who had visited Israel earlier this month test positive for the coronavirus.

Eleven Israelis stranded aboard coronavirus-infected cruise ship land in Israel, are whisked away to hospital for quarantine. One tests positive after landing. Health Ministry issues warning saying Israelis returning for Asian countries who breach the 14-day self-quarantine order endanger the public, could face up to seven years in prison.

The death toll from the new coronavirus in mainland China passed 2,000 on Wednesday, but now Iran reports its first two cases.

The Central Election Committee is gearing up to meet Health Ministry's orders about mandatory quarantine for Israelis returning from Asian countries.