Almost 10,000 faculty members and students in isolation after coronavirus infections detected in educational institutions across country; two more people succumb to virus, bringing national death toll to 287
40 schools closed in Israel as the number confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to rise, the Health Ministry said Tuesday.
Jerusalem, Israel (Agency):
Israel is one among the few countries who controlled over the corona, but within last 24 hours 217 new cases of Corona were found. it is the maximum within last one month. prior to this 155 cases were found on 1st May. Health Ministry announces country’s first 2 deaths in days, again confirms more than 100 new cases in last 24 hours, as renewed outbreak persists. As per the health ministry maximum number of cases of infections are due to schools. Due to this more than 40 schools were ordered to closed and more than 10000 teachers and students send to quarantine and to undergo a corona virus test.
The renewed outbreak, which began last week, is focused on education institutions, particularly the Gymnasia Rehavia high school in Jerusalem, where 159 students and staff members were found to be infected.
The Education Ministry said Tuesday afternoon that 9,935 student and education staff members were in quarantine and that a total of 40 institutions had temporarily closed down over the past week.
It said that a total of 217 people had been confirmed to be infected in schools and kindergartens.
The Health Ministry on Tuesday reported two new coronavirus deaths, after several days with no fatalities, bringing the toll to 287.
Meanwhile, the number of cases continued its upward trend, with 50 new cases identified since Monday evening and 113 in the previous 24 hours.
A growing number of parents have been avoiding sending their kids to school as a result of the wave of infections. Some schools have independently implemented a scrapped system of keeping students in separate, smaller groups that stay away from each other to limit any potential wave of infections, Hebrew media reports said.
Education Minister Yoav Gallant said Monday that any institution where a COVID-19 case is confirmed will be closed immediately, though partial openings will be considered if there are separate buildings in the same institution.
Israel has taken steps in recent weeks to roll back its virus restrictions, reopening schools, synagogues, malls, restaurants and other spaces. While social distancing and hygiene guidelines remain in place, many have taken a more relaxed attitude as the virus appeared to wane, including regarding instructions to wear masks in most settings outside the home.
The country total number of infected was at 17,342, of whom 14,950 have recovered. The number of active cases, which dipped below 2,000 last week, continued to grow and stood at 2,017.
