Israel’s Health Ministry reported Sunday evening that another three cases of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus were confirmed in Israel this weekend.
The total number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Israel now stands at 10.
Two of the three people who tested positive for the virus were travelers who returned from Italy this past Thursday (Feb 27) on El Al Flight LY290. Both acquired the virus while in Europe and both appear to have mild symptoms, according to the Health Ministry.
All other passengers who were on El Al Flight LY290 last Thursday, Feb 27 have been asked to remain in self-quarantine in their homes for 14 days.
The third person, a young Israeli resident of Or Yehuda, tested positive after being in contact with someone else who was a confirmed carrier of the novel coronavirus.
Israelis who have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 novel coronavirus will not be able to vote in the election this time around; however, those who are quarantined solely as a precautionary measure will be provided with special voting “tents” in which they will have fully-equipped voting booths so they can vote for the party of their choice.
More than 1,000 Israelis have been tested so far for the virus.
Dishonest Israeli Tries to Hide Virus
The owner of a toy shop near Ben Gurion International Airport infected his wife and sold Purim costumes to children while he was sick with the virus, according to a report by The Marker, quoted by The Jerusalem Post.
The man, who was not identified, returned to Israel from Italy – the epicenter of coronavirus in Europe — and earlier this week became the first Israeli diagnosed with the virus.
He initially lied to the Health Ministry about his activities, claiming he was only at his store for two hours, The Marker reported, when he had spent some 30 hours selling costumes at the Red Pirate costume shop in Or Yehuda.
The man’s wife was diagnosed with the virus on Friday. The couple’s three children attended school after their father’s return as well, further compounding the spread of the virus.
Health Ministry officials have since had some catching up to do: they disinfected the man’s store in Or Yehuda, they contacted the schools of all the children in addition to contacting all the passengers aboard the flight he traveled from Italy back to Israel.
All the passengers on that flight have been asked to enter self-quarantine in their homes for a 14-day period.