The number of coronavirus cases in Israel has reached 250, while the number of infected in serious condition is now up to four, health authorities said Monday.
The Health Ministry said at least 190 patients are hospitalized, 12 are in the process of hospitalization, while 44 others are being treated at home. Four patients have recovered.
One of the patients considered in serious condition is an 88-year-old man with an underlying health condition. He was admitted to The Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem overnight Sunday with breathing problems.
Two other patients in serious condition are a tour driver who transported Greek pilgrims found to be infected upon their return home and a worker at Ben-Gurion Airport. Eleven others are in moderate condition and the rest in mild condition.
In addition, a second doctor at the Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv has tested positive for COVID-19. Forty hospital staff members who worked with the doctor at the hospital's urology unit have entered a home-quarantine.
Earlier, another chief physician at Ichilov has tested positive for the novel coronavirus after working in a ward that treated patients suspected to have contracted the pathogen.
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Health Ministry’s central laboratory in Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer
(Photo: Amit Huber)
On Sunday it was revealed that a senior employee at the Health Ministry’s central laboratory in Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer has tested positive for coronavirus. She has been quarantined and her condition is described as light.
The Health Ministry said they are working to find an alternative laboratory to conduct COVID-19 tests since the entire team working the infected employee must enter a 14-day home-quarantine.
On Saturday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel will shut all shopping centers, restaurants, cafes and entertainment facilities for at least five weeks as part of a series of new strict measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
He told the news conference that exceptions on the ban would include supermarkets, pharmacies and gas stations.
The new directive also limits all public gatherings to only 10 people.