UPDATE - Israel's coronavirus cases jump to 2,666

UPDATES WITH NEW FIGURES

By Abdel-Raouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israel's coronavirus infections have risen to 2666 after 171 new cases were reported, according to the Health Ministry.

A statement by the ministry, cited by the Israeli Broadcasting Authority, said 39 patients are in critical condition, while 66 have recovered from the virus so far.

It added that three more people died of the virus, bringing the number of death toll to eight.

Israel has taken several measures to stem the spread of the disease, including closing cafes, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, and entertainment venues.

Last week, the Israeli government decided to track confirmed and suspected coronavirus patients by monitoring their cell phones as part of its fight against the virus.

After first appearing in Wuhan, China, last December, the novel coronavirus has spread to at least 175 countries and territories, according to data compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

The data shows more than 487,600 cases have been reported worldwide since last December, with the death toll above 22,000 and nearly 118,000 successful recoveries.

* Writing by Ali Abo Rezeg in Ankara.