5th Israeli Dies of Coronavirus; New Restrictions Introduced
The Health Ministry on Tuesday evening announced new regulations and restrictions aimed at stemming the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Israel, as two Israelis died of the virus on Wednesday morning.
Firefighter from Israel National Fire and Rescue Authority wearing protective suits, disinfecting public areas across the city of Rishon Leziyyon, in a fight against the Coronavirus spread. Rishon Leziyyon, Mar 22, 2020. Photo by Kobi Richter/TPS
The Sheba Medical Centre stated that a Corona patient who was hospitalized in the Corona Intensive Care Unit died. The 76-year-old man suffered from significant background illness and was hospitalized since Monday.
A fifth patient died at the Maayanei Yeshua hospital in Beni Brak.
On Tuesday, two Israelis, a woman aged 67 and a man aged 87, died of Corona, while the first Israeli passed away from Corona over the weekend. All had suffered from previous illnesses.
The Ministry of Health on Wednesday morning updated that the number of Corona patients in Israel was 2,030, with 37 in serious condition, 45 in moderate condition, and 53 who have recovered.
The new regulations introduced by the Health Ministry, which will take effect Wednesday evening, stipulate that Israelis are to leave their homes only for work for those who must leave home for it and to purchase food, medication and essentials.
Exercise is limited to the vicinity of one’s home. Public transportation will stop almost completely on Wednesday night until further notice.
The police will be given broader abilities to enforce the regulations. A policeman can order violators to return home or close a business that is breaching the regulations. The police will be able to issue fines as well.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening ordered the establishment of a national command centre for Coronavirus medical equipment procurement run by Israel’s Mossad espionage agency.
The national command centre will integrate additional elements from the Health, Finance and Justice ministries. Netanyahu also instructed the security industries to evaluate the possibility of local production.
State Comptroller Matanyahu Engelman, the office’s executive director and several other members entered a 10-day quarantine after one of the office’s employees was diagnosed with Corona. A few ministers and Members of Knesset are also in quarantine.
The novel Coronavirus COVID-19 is affecting 194 countries around the world.
At least 423,500 cases of Coronavirus have been confirmed worldwide, including at least 19,000 deaths. Some 109,000 have recovered.
