Health Ministry Deputy Director Prof. Itamar Grotto estimated Sunday evening that some 10,000-20,000 Israelis would die from the coronavirus in the worst-case scenario.
"Some of these people would have likely died from other diseases due to their underlying conditions," said Grotto. "That number will be added to the annual mortality rate in Israel, which is about 40,000 people a year."
Grotto also asked the public to not panic over the pandemic.
"People may die from the fear to leave the house for the pharmacy to get medicine," said Grotto. "The numbers aren't high compared to the annual mortality rate."