Israel on Tuesday recorded five new coronavirus deaths and more than 1,000 new cases, health officials confirmed.
In addition, a special ministerial committee voted to impose a lockdown on the settlement of Beitar Illit for a week over the high coronavirus infection rate in the area. The lockdown is set to take place from Wednesday, July 8, at 8am to Wednesday July 15, at 8am.
The Health Ministry said since midnight Tuesday, 1,052 people tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the number of active patients currently sick with the disease to 13,653. The number of coronavirus-related deaths now stands at 342.
The ministry said the infection rate has gone up to an alarming 5.2%, having fallen to 4.6% a day earlier.
At least 358 patients are being treated in hospitals, with the rest fighting the virus at home or at specially designated hotels. The ministry said 86 people are currently in a serious condition, with 34 requiring ventilator support.
The Health Ministry added the number of patients being admitted to hospitals in a serious condition is on the increase, despite recording a slight drop from the morning hours when the count stood at 87.
According to the report, Jerusalem recorded the biggest rise in new diagnoses since midnight, with 124 cases, followed by Tel Aviv with 38, Bnei Brak with 36 and Ashdod with 26.
Earlier, the Coronavirus National Information and Knowledge Center said over 1,000 new cases were reported in Israel in the past 24 hours, marking the second time within a week the number of daily diagnoses exceeded the 1,000 mark.
First published: 19:36, 07.07.20