Israel's coronavirus tally soars

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israel's death toll from the novel coronavirus has raised to 18 after three people died from the disease, according to the Health Ministry.

A ministry statement said 136 new infections were recorded, bringing the total cases to 4831.

According to the ministry, 83 patients are in critical condition and 163 have recovered.

As part of measures to curb the virus, all schools have been closed in the country, all meetings in public, open or closed areas with more than 10 people have also been banned.

All trading firms except supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations and banks have also been closed from March 15. Tel Aviv also banned the entry of foreign citizens to the country, except for those who have residency in Israel.

After first appearing in Wuhan, China last December, the novel coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, has spread to at least 200 countries and territories, according to data compiled by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

Nearly 786,000 cases have been reported worldwide, with the death toll over 37,800 and more than 165,000 recoveries.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara