Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced Wednesday that he was in solo isolation due to suspected exposure to a person infected with coronavirus on Sunday evening.
A statement from the defense minister's office said: "Out of desire and responsibility to avoid the risk of infection and after consulting with medical experts, Gantz has decided to go into isolation, pending a coronavirus test and epidemiological investigation."
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Defense Minister Benny Gantz wears a mask during a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem
(Photo: Olivier Fitoussi)
The statement said that, "Gantz feels well and will continue to manage the affairs of his ministry and the rest of his public duties during isolation."
Writing on Twitter, Gantz said: "Let's start with the bottom line, I feel great, and intend to continue working as usual, just remotely. I will act exactly as directed. There is no room for risk taking."
The Defense Ministry said that "in light of Gantz' entry into isolation, equipment will be installed in his home to allow him to fulfill his duties."
The ministry said that the infected person with whom Gantz came into contact was a member of his family.
Gantz' hometown of Rosh Ha'ayin, in central Israel, has seen 13 new coronavirus cases in the last three days.
Public Security Minister Amir Ohana entered quarantine on Saturday after an epidemiological investigation concluded he had come into close contact with Border Police Commander Yaakov Shabtai, who was earlier confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus.
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Construction workers building a new coronavirus ward at Sheba Medical Center, Israel's largest hospital
(Photo: Yariv Katz)
Israel is currently battling a second wave of the virus that has seen the number of active infections soar. A total of 14,104 people are now infected with the pathogen, while 18,267 have recovered.
On Wednesday morning, the Health Ministry said 107 people were in serious condition from COVID-19, up from 83 by Tuesday midnight, while the number of people on ventilators rose from 34 to 36.