There have been 42 new cases of coronavirus infection in Israel in the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry said Thursday evening, a slight rise in the rate of infection compared to the previous three days.
The number of COVID-19 fatalities has risen by one to 240, and the number of confirmed cases has increased to 16,381.
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Staff at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv take two coronavirus patients into the fresh air
(Photo: Courtesy)
The death toll has risen by just one person in the past 24 hours, as the number of recovered patients continues to far outstrip the number of active cases.
There are currently 5,268 people in Israel who are infected with the virus, while 10,873 people have recovered. This marks an increase of 222 in the number of recovered patients since Wednesday.
Most of the new cases have been within ultra-Orthodox communities.
Jerusalem still has the most highest rate of infection, with 3,615 cases. The second highest rate of infection is in the Haredi city of Bnei Brak, with 2,890 cases. The next-highest infection rate can be found in Tel Aviv, which has 544 cases.
As of Thursday evening, 83 people were in serious condition down, a number unchanged since the morning; 68 patients - a fall of one - require ventilator support.
Israel has been slowly reopening its economy and education system as its number of cases continues to drop, on condition that strict social distancing and hygiene regulations are observed.
On Thursday, outdoor market and malls were again open to the public, with limits on the number of shoppers allowed on site at any one time.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told world leaders on Thursday that it was impossible to predict the outcome of Israel partially reopening its schools and economy.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wears a mask in the Knesset on Thursday
(Photo: The Knesset)
"In fact, nobody knows what will happen when we open our economies and schools," he said.
"We have to be ready and prepared for the 'accordion effect' and the possibility that we will have to close down again."