COVID-19: Israel cases top 7,000, death toll at 37

By Mustafa Deveci

JERUSALEM (AA) – The number of coronavirus cases in Israel crossed 7,000 and the death toll reached 37 on Friday.

The Health Ministry reported 173 new cases, which brought the total to 7,030, and one fatality over the past 24 hours.

It said 115 of all COVID-19 patients are in critical condition, while 357 have been discharged from hospitals so far.

All educational institutes in Israel remain closed, while public meetings in open or closed areas with more than 10 people are banned.

All businesses except supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations, and banks have also been closed since March 15.

Tel Aviv has also banned the entry of foreign citizens, except those who have residency in Israel.

Since appearing in Wuhan, China, last December, the novel coronavirus has spread to at least 181 countries and regions, according to data compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

The data shows more than one million (almost 1,018,000) cases have been reported worldwide so far, with the global death toll nearing 53,200, and over 212,000 recoveries.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz