Coronavirus Outbreak

It’s really hard for me to listen to all these cliches about the solidarity of Israelis.

The police officers were not the only ones on my mother’s target list.

“Yes, you have a health coverage policy, but you are not a member of the HMO, you have to call the Magen David Adom first-responder service,” they told me

Unlike the first wave, older Israelis -- who are most at risk from the virus -- make up a small percentage of new confirmed cases. Jerusalem is home to the highest number of symptomatic carriers, followed by Tel Aviv and Bnei Brak.

Lod Mayor Yair Revivo wants the government to explain the criteria it uses to decide what areas are placed on lockdown. Residents of Haredi areas of Beit Shemesh: Closure will turn these neighborhoods into "breeding grounds" for coronavirus.

Comments come as protesters from across the political spectrum take to the streets with demands for speedier compensation for economic hardships caused by pandemic and lockdown.

Virus death toll up to 346 and government debates placing neighborhoods with high corona morbidity rates under quarantine. President Rivlin: No place for political calculations during this time.

The plaintiffs allege that they were nowhere near any known patients, and that their need to be in quarantine would cause them serious financial damage as a result of their not being able to work.

Over 1 million tests conducted since the epidemic erupted. Government orders lockdown on Betar Illit, where 16% of the residents tested positive for COVID-19. In Rechasim, Modi'in Illit, Kiryat Malachi, and Raanana, 9% or more of the residents were infected.   

Over the last few weeks, infections have skyrocketed across Judea and Samaria, with more than 4,000 new cases and an additional 15 deaths. Authorities blame widespread neglect of social distancing and mask-wearing, and the summer wedding season.