On Thursday, the Health Ministry said that Israels Health Minister and his wife were diagnosed with COVID-19 and are in isolation.

Yaakov Litzman, aged 71 years, an associate of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has appeared often alongside with the Prime Minister to deliver updates on the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and new measures to prevent it. However, Litzman had reduced his public appearances in recent weeks and the ministrys director-general held daily briefings instead of him.

The ministry said in a statement that Litzman and his wife are fine. An epidemiological investigation would be carried out, and isolation appeals would be sent to those who might come into contact with him and his wife in the last two weeks.

Netanyahu has tested negative for the coronavirus after a parliamentary assistant was confirmed with it.

Israel has confirmed almost 25 deaths and more than 6,000 cases. Tight restrictions have confined Israelis to their homes, forcing businesses to shut down and causing unemployment of more than 24%.

Litzman heads an ultra-Orthodox Jewish party, and has urged his community to follow health ministry restrictions after few rabbis and members have casted doubt on the coronavirus risk and rubbed against stay-at-home orders.

Israeli officials stated that the ultra-Orthodox people are prone to contamination as their districts are poor and congested.

Source: ET Healthworld