jerusalempost--2020-04-17--Ireland plans to expand weekly coronavirus testing capacity to 100,000

He said on Thursday data was showing Ireland had contained the first wave of the outbreak in the population at large , raising hopes that the restrictions that have closed large sections of the economy could begin to be rolled back .
Officials have said the ability to quickly test and isolate anyone who catches the virus is another crucial component in lifting the most severe constraints without having to reimpose them again if the virus does not remain suppressed .
`` If we move into a situation where we lift restrictions because we are satisfied that the spread in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level , we have to be in a position to catch it as quickly as possible if there is to be an increase , '' Holohan told a news conference .
`` Our intention is to have the sampling , testing and results back to patients in a real time basis . ''
Ireland reported 709 new cases on Friday to bring its total to 13,980 , with 530 deaths .
The health service had carried out just over 90,000 tests by the end of Monday , more than double the 42,500 completed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Emergency Team said the planned seven-day testing capacity would remain in place for a minimum of six months and kick in with a likely change to its definition for testing that will widen the net of possible patients , Holohan said .
The health service will over the next 7-10 days first test all staff and residents in long-term residential care facilities such as nursing homes , where the outbreak has yet to be contained .
Nursing home residents account for more than half of all deaths and there are clusters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country 's 550 retirement homes , accounting for just over 1,000 cases .
Holohan said there was spare capacity for such testing .
The acting government on Friday enhanced the role of the state 's health quality authority to inspect care homes to ensure the implementation of a new infection control check list .
But opposition politicians again criticized the response as being too slow .

He said on Thursday data was showing Ireland had contained the first wave of the outbreak in the population at large, raising hopes that the restrictions that have closed large sections of the economy could begin to be rolled back.
Officials have said the ability to quickly test and isolate anyone who catches the virus is another crucial component in lifting the most severe constraints without having to reimpose them again if the virus does not remain suppressed.
"If we move into a situation where we lift restrictions because we are satisfied that the spread in the community is at a very low level, we have to be in a position to catch it as quickly as possible if there is to be an increase," Holohan told a news conference.
"Our intention is to have the sampling, testing and results back to patients in a real time basis."
Ireland reported 709 new cases on Friday to bring its total to 13,980, with 530 deaths. The health service had carried out just over 90,000 tests by the end of Monday, more than double the 42,500 completed a week earlier.
The National Public Health Emergency Team said the planned seven-day testing capacity would remain in place for a minimum of six months and kick in with a likely change to its definition for testing that will widen the net of possible patients, Holohan said.
The health service will over the next 7-10 days first test all staff and residents in long-term residential care facilities such as nursing homes, where the outbreak has yet to be contained.
Nursing home residents account for more than half of all deaths and there are clusters of two or more cases in 166 of the country's 550 retirement homes, accounting for just over 1,000 cases. Holohan said there was spare capacity for such testing.
The acting government on Friday enhanced the role of the state's health quality authority to inspect care homes to ensure the implementation of a new infection control check list. But opposition politicians again criticized the response as being too slow.
Ireland plans to expand its coronavirus testing capacity to 100,000 tests per week over the next 10 days as it considers easing stay-at-home restrictions on May 5, Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan said on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-17--France coronavirus death toll nears 19,000 but spread continues to slow

During a press conference Jerome Salomon , head of the public health authority , said the number of people in hospital had declined for a third day running , and that the total number in intensive care units had fallen for the ninth day running .
`` Our collective efforts demonstrate their effectiveness .
The lockdown is starting to bear fruit , '' Salomon said .
The number of ICU patients , at 6,027 , was at its lowest since April 1 and down more than 1,000 from its April 8 peak of 7,148 .
Before COVID-19 started to spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with ventilation gear .
At 18,681 , the number of deaths was up 4.2 % over 24 hours , though the rate of increase decelerated for the second day running .
France has the fourth highest tally of fatalities in the world , behind the United States , Italy and Spain and ahead of Britain .
These five countries account for almost three-quarters of the current global total of more than 149,000 deaths .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in France was barely up ( +0.4 % ) at 109,252 .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probable cases decelerated sharply - 4 % versus 36 % Thursday - reaching 38,717 .
That took the total number of confirmed and possible cases to 147,969 , up 1.3 % against Thursday 's increase of 9.4 % .

During a press conference Jerome Salomon, head of the public health authority, said the number of people in hospital had declined for a third day running, and that the total number in intensive care units had fallen for the ninth day running.
"Our collective efforts demonstrate their effectiveness. The lockdown is starting to bear fruit," Salomon said.
The number of ICU patients, at 6,027, was at its lowest since April 1 and down more than 1,000 from its April 8 peak of 7,148. Before COVID-19 started to spread, France had 5,000 hospital beds equipped with ventilation gear.
At 18,681, the number of deaths was up 4.2% over 24 hours, though the rate of increase decelerated for the second day running.
France has the fourth highest tally of fatalities in the world, behind the United States, Italy and Spain and ahead of Britain. These five countries account for almost three-quarters of the current global total of more than 149,000 deaths.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in France was barely up (+0.4%) at 109,252. And in nursing homes, the increase of probable cases decelerated sharply - 4% versus 36% Thursday - reaching 38,717.
That took the total number of confirmed and possible cases to 147,969, up 1.3% against Thursday's increase of 9.4%.
France's registered death toll from coronavirus infections neared 19,000 on Friday, but most data provided further indications that the spread of the disease was slowing after a one-month-old national lockdown, officials said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-17--Pompeo tells Russia's Lavrov any new arms control talks must include China

Pompeo emphasized in a telephone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that `` any future arms control talks must be based on President ( Donald ) Trump 's vision for a trilateral arms control agreement that includes both Russia and China , '' State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement .
China , whose arsenal of an estimated 300 nuclear weapons is far smaller than those of Russia and the United States , has rejected such talks .
Ortagus said Pompeo 's comments came as he and Lavrov discussed `` next steps in the bilateral Strategic Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic . ''
Trump last year proposed that the United States , Russia and China negotiate a new pact to replace the 2010 New START accord that cut deployed U.S. and Russian nuclear warheads and the bombers and land- and submarine-based missiles that carry them to their lowest levels in decades .
New START will expire next February unless the sides agree to extend it for up to five years .
Russia has said it would be willing to extend the accord , but the Trump administration has declined to state a position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had `` reiterated the Russian proposal to extend the START treaty , due to expire in February 2021 , '' in his conversation with Pompeo .
`` ( On the call ) it was underlined that Russia is ready to work on possible new nuclear weapons agreements , but that it would be important to preserve ... the START treaty while preparations are ongoing , '' the ministry said in a statement .
U.S. administration officials argue that China must be brought into any new arms control pact because of the growing threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arsenal , which is undergoing a modernization program .
Arms control experts , however , have described Trump 's proposal to include China in a new treaty as a `` poison pill '' strategy to kill New START and end restraints on U.S. nuclear arms deployments .
Ortagus said Pompeo also discussed with Lavrov bilateral issues , `` including the detention of US citizens . ''
She did not elaborate on the number or identity of Americans detained in Russia .

Pompeo emphasized in a telephone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that "any future arms control talks must be based on President (Donald) Trump's vision for a trilateral arms control agreement that includes both Russia and China," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.
China, whose arsenal of an estimated 300 nuclear weapons is far smaller than those of Russia and the United States, has rejected such talks.
Ortagus said Pompeo's comments came as he and Lavrov discussed "next steps in the bilateral Strategic Security Dialogue, taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic."
Trump last year proposed that the United States, Russia and China negotiate a new pact to replace the 2010 New START accord that cut deployed U.S. and Russian nuclear warheads and the bombers and land- and submarine-based missiles that carry them to their lowest levels in decades.
New START will expire next February unless the sides agree to extend it for up to five years. Russia has said it would be willing to extend the accord, but the Trump administration has declined to state a position.
The Russian foreign ministry said Lavrov had "reiterated the Russian proposal to extend the START treaty, due to expire in February 2021," in his conversation with Pompeo.
"(On the call) it was underlined that Russia is ready to work on possible new nuclear weapons agreements, but that it would be important to preserve... the START treaty while preparations are ongoing," the ministry said in a statement.
U.S. administration officials argue that China must be brought into any new arms control pact because of the growing threat they say is posed by its nuclear arsenal, which is undergoing a modernization program.
Arms control experts, however, have described Trump's proposal to include China in a new treaty as a "poison pill" strategy to kill New START and end restraints on U.S. nuclear arms deployments.
Ortagus said Pompeo also discussed with Lavrov bilateral issues, "including the detention of US citizens." She did not elaborate on the number or identity of Americans detained in Russia.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told his Russian counterpart on Friday that any future arms control talks must focus on an American proposal for a new arms control accord that includes Russia and China, the State Department said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-17--IDF shoots flares on Lebanon border

IDF shoots flares on Lebanon border

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After receiving alerts on the Lebanon border fence, IDF troops shot flares and then surrounded the area, securing the border, according to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit.


jerusalempost--2020-04-17--Revised Chinese COVID figures bid to 'leave no case undocumented' - WHO

A sharp upward revision in China 's coronavirus death toll on Friday was `` an attempt to leave no case @ @ @ @ @ Organization ( WHO ) epidemiologist Maria van Kerkhove told a briefing .
Kerkhove said the @ @ @ @ @ over data from funeral services , care homes , fever clinics , hospitals and detention @ @ @ @ @ the number of patients who had died at home , in the city of Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ outbreak .
U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that China has understated its toll of @ @ @ @ @ condemned the WHO for the support it has given to China 's approach .

A sharp upward revision in China's coronavirus death toll on Friday was "an attempt to leave no case undocumented," World Health Organization (WHO) epidemiologist Maria van Kerkhove told a briefing.
Kerkhove said the Chinese authorities had gone back over data from funeral services, care homes, fever clinics, hospitals and detention centers, as well as the number of patients who had died at home, in the city of Wuhan, source of the coronavirus outbreak.
U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that China has understated its toll of coronavirus deaths, and has condemned the WHO for the support it has given to China's approach.


jerusalempost--2020-04-17--Syria's Kurdish-led northeast says first case of coronavirus found

The WHO office in Damascus did not immediately respond to a request for comment and the Kurdish-led administration did not @ @ @ @ @ reported infection .
In the statement , the regional administration said a 53-year-old man had @ @ @ @ @ Qamishli on April 2 and that a sample was sent to Damascus and tested positive @ @ @ @ @ disease caused by the coronavirus .
But it said health authorities in the northeast had @ @ @ @ @ of the results .
An official at the Qamishli hospital , which falls under the @ @ @ @ @ government in Damascus , denied the existence of any coronavirus cases so far at the @ @ @ @ @ expressed concern about the coronavirus pandemic reaching northeastern Syria , where health infrastructure has been @ @ @ @ @ supplies are limited .

The WHO office in Damascus did not immediately respond to a request for comment and the Kurdish-led administration did not provide further evidence of the reported infection.
In the statement, the regional administration said a 53-year-old man had died at a hospital in Qamishli on April 2 and that a sample was sent to Damascus and tested positive for COVID-19, the lung disease caused by the coronavirus.
But it said health authorities in the northeast had not initially been made aware of the results.
An official at the Qamishli hospital, which falls under the control of Syria's central government in Damascus, denied the existence of any coronavirus cases so far at the hospital.
Relief organisations have expressed concern about the coronavirus pandemic reaching northeastern Syria, where health infrastructure has been shattered by war and medical supplies are limited.
The Kurdish-led administration in Syria's northeast said on Friday that the World Health Organisation had found the area's first case of coronavirus earlier this month after samples were tested in Damascus.


jerusalempost--2020-04-17--29 elderly test negative for coronavirus after testing positive

On Friday evening 29 elderly tested negative for the coronavirus after previously testing positive .
Suspicions arose after the 29 @ @ @ @ @ in Ashkelon tested positive on Thursday night , but failed to show symptoms .
Testing @ @ @ @ @ halted at the Weitzman Institute after 11 hospitalized elderly were found to not have the @ @ @ @ @ .
The 11 elderly tested positive for the coronavirus , after which they were hospitalized @ @ @ @ @ Center and the remaining two in Barzlai Medical Center in Ashdod .

The Health Ministry falsely accused the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot of reporting false test results for the novel coronavirus on Saturday.On Friday evening, 29 elderly patients tested negative for the coronavirus at their respective hospitals after previously testing positive at their geriatric facility. Although that was supposedly processed at Weizmann, the institute claimed that most of those tests were not performed there.The Health Ministry updated on Saturday night that it is "working together with the Weizmann Institute in full coordination and cooperation for success in the joint national mission."A spokesperson for the institute told Israel's Kan News that the lab followed the Health Ministry’s protocols and blamed the reported five false positives that did occur in their facility on guidelines specifying that borderline test results be determined positive.“The Weizmann Institute of Science has made available to the Ministry of Health an advanced laboratory, which operates under the sole supervision and responsibility of the Health Ministry. According to clear guidelines from the Health Ministry, tests that are borderline – as they were in these cases – are determined to be positive.”On the state of the falsely diagnosed patients, he said that “respiratory patients who have been transferred to the hospitals are now in isolation, and the appropriate place for continued hospitalization is being examined so that they do not become infected in the event that some are not sick.”An official source called the mistaken test results a “scandal,” according to Kan. “Intubated geriatric patients were moved from a set place to a hospital and exposed to bacteria and possibly also to the coronavirus ," said the official.Idan Zonshine contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-04-17--Dubai extends 24-hour coronavirus curfew by a week

Dubai , the United Arab Emirate 's business hub , has extended a 24-hours-a-day curfew imposed as part of a sterilization drive to control the spread of the coronavirus by a week , the government said in a Twitter post on Friday .
The UAE has imposed a nationwide nightly curfew since March 26 for the disinfection campaign , but Dubai on April 4 expanded it within the emirate to a 24-hour lockdown for two weeks .
The country on Thursday reported 460 new cases and two more deaths from the virus , taking its tally to 5,825 with 35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breakdown for each of the seven emirates .
The Emirates Red Crescent humanitarian organization will `` foster and care for '' the families of those who have died in the UAE from the COVID-19 lung disease caused by the virus , the federal government said in a Twitter post on Friday .
The UAE has the second-highest infection count after its much larger neighbor , Saudi Arabia , among the six Gulf Arab states , where the total infection count has surpassed 22,000 , with more than 140 deaths .
Saudi Arabia has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperature of the limited number of worshippers allowed to enter the Prophet ’ s Mosque in Medina , media said .
Gulf states have taken drastic containment measures but seen a spread among low-income migrant workers living in cramped quarters .
Several countries have offered free testing to foreign workers , who make up the bulk of the labor force , and taken steps to rehouse thousands in schools or dedicated centers .
Qatar , which has locked down part of an industrial zone where many migrant workers live and work , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among expatriate workers quarantined due to exposure to COVID-19 cases .

Dubai, the United Arab Emirate's business hub, has extended a 24-hours-a-day curfew imposed as part of a sterilization drive to control the spread of the coronavirus by a week, the government said in a Twitter post on Friday.
The UAE has imposed a nationwide nightly curfew since March 26 for the disinfection campaign, but Dubai on April 4 expanded it within the emirate to a 24-hour lockdown for two weeks.
The country on Thursday reported 460 new cases and two more deaths from the virus, taking its tally to 5,825 with 35 deaths. It does not give a breakdown for each of the seven emirates.
The Emirates Red Crescent humanitarian organization will "foster and care for" the families of those who have died in the UAE from the COVID-19 lung disease caused by the virus, the federal government said in a Twitter post on Friday.
The UAE has the second-highest infection count after its much larger neighbor, Saudi Arabia, among the six Gulf Arab states, where the total infection count has surpassed 22,000, with more than 140 deaths.
Saudi Arabia has installed thermal cameras to monitor the body temperature of the limited number of worshippers allowed to enter the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, media said.
Gulf states have taken drastic containment measures but seen a spread among low-income migrant workers living in cramped quarters. Several countries have offered free testing to foreign workers, who make up the bulk of the labor force, and taken steps to rehouse thousands in schools or dedicated centers.
Qatar, which has locked down part of an industrial zone where many migrant workers live and work, on Friday announced 560 new cases, mostly among expatriate workers quarantined due to exposure to COVID-19 cases.


jerusalempost--2020-04-17--Italy's daily coronavirus death toll rises, new cases broadly stable

Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy rose by 575 on Friday , up from 525 the day before , @ @ @ @ @ cases declined slightly to 3,493 from a previous 3,786 .
The daily tallies of deaths @ @ @ @ @ stable situation in place over the last 12 days .
This plateau is down considerably @ @ @ @ @ end of March , but the downtrend has not proceeded as was widely hoped in @ @ @ @ @ in lockdown for almost six weeks .
The total death toll since the outbreak came @ @ @ @ @ rose to 22,745 , the Civil Protection Agency said , the second highest in the @ @ @ @ @ United States .
The number of officially confirmed cases climbed to 172,434 the third highest @ @ @ @ @ the United States and Spain .
There were 2,812 people in intensive care on Friday @ @ @ @ @ a 14th consecutive daily decline .

Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy rose by 575 on Friday, up from 525 the day before, while the number of new cases declined slightly to 3,493 from a previous 3,786.
The daily tallies of deaths and cases extend the broadly stable situation in place over the last 12 days.
This plateau is down considerably from peaks reached around the end of March, but the downtrend has not proceeded as was widely hoped in a country that has been in lockdown for almost six weeks.
The total death toll since the outbreak came to light on Feb. 21 rose to 22,745, the Civil Protection Agency said, the second highest in the world after that of the United States.
The number of officially confirmed cases climbed to 172,434 the third highest global tally behind those of the United States and Spain.
There were 2,812 people in intensive care on Friday against 2,936 on Thursday -- a 14th consecutive daily decline.
Of those originally infected, 42,727 were declared recovered against 40,164 a day earlier.


jerusalempost--2020-04-17--Turkey's coronavirus death toll rises by 126 to 1,769 -health minister

The total number of cases in the country stood at 78,546 , he said .
A total of 8,631 people @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus so far , and the number of tests carried out over the past 24 @ @ @ @ @ the minister said .

The total number of cases in the country stood at 78,546, he said. A total of 8,631 people have recovered from the new coronavirus so far, and the number of tests carried out over the past 24 hours came to 40,270, the minister said.
Turkey's confirmed cases of the COVID-19 disease increased by 4,353 in the past 24 hours, and 126 more people have died, taking the death toll to 1,769, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-17--Indonesia reports most coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia

The announcement came a day after an Indonesian official said the number of cases could reach 106,000 by July and follows criticism that a low rate of testing has hidden the extent of the spread of the virus .
Indonesia has accelerated testing and Achmad Yurianto , a health ministry official , said on Friday 42,000 tests had been performed , up about three-fold in two weeks .
`` Transmission is still occurring .
This has become a national disaster , '' Yurianto told a televised broadcast , in which he reported 24 additional deaths , taking the total to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the disease in east Asia outside China .
Health researchers have said the number of infections could spike because of the traditional exodus from cities , known in Indonesia as mudik , after the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan .
In a model seen by Reuters this week , researchers at the University of Indonesia forecast there could be one million infections by July on Java , the country 's most populous island and home to the capital Jakarta .
President Joko Widodo has resisted pressure for a total ban on mudik @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's COVID-19 task-force said those going would have to undergo a 14-day quarantine .
In a separate news conference on Friday , Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said 75 Indonesians out of 717 contracted the coronavirus in India after participating in a gathering of Muslim pilgrims last month .
Thirteen had recovered , she said .
The Tablighi Jamaat movement behind the gathering in India also hosted an event in Malaysia that drew 16,000 followers and led to more than 500 coronavirus infections .
`` We already had a plan to evacuate them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because everyone in the Tablighi Jamaat in India is in quarantine , '' she said , adding some also faced a `` legal process . ''
Authorities in Maharashtra have filed cases against more than 200 members of Tablighi Jamaat for allegedly helping to spread the disease , including by hiding in mosques , a police official said .

The announcement came a day after an Indonesian official said the number of cases could reach 106,000 by July and follows criticism that a low rate of testing has hidden the extent of the spread of the virus.
Indonesia has accelerated testing and Achmad Yurianto, a health ministry official, said on Friday 42,000 tests had been performed, up about three-fold in two weeks.
"Transmission is still occurring. This has become a national disaster," Yurianto told a televised broadcast, in which he reported 24 additional deaths, taking the total to 520, the highest number of fatalities from the disease in east Asia outside China.
Health researchers have said the number of infections could spike because of the traditional exodus from cities, known in Indonesia as mudik, after the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
In a model seen by Reuters this week, researchers at the University of Indonesia forecast there could be one million infections by July on Java, the country's most populous island and home to the capital Jakarta.
President Joko Widodo has resisted pressure for a total ban on mudik, though the head of the government's COVID-19 task-force said those going would have to undergo a 14-day quarantine.
In a separate news conference on Friday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said 75 Indonesians out of 717 contracted the coronavirus in India after participating in a gathering of Muslim pilgrims last month. Thirteen had recovered, she said.
The Tablighi Jamaat movement behind the gathering in India also hosted an event in Malaysia that drew 16,000 followers and led to more than 500 coronavirus infections.
"We already had a plan to evacuate them. But we had to postpone it because everyone in the Tablighi Jamaat in India is in quarantine," she said, adding some also faced a "legal process."
Authorities in Maharashtra have filed cases against more than 200 members of Tablighi Jamaat for allegedly helping to spread the disease, including by hiding in mosques, a police official said.
Indonesia reported on Friday 407 new coronavirus cases, taking the total number to 5,923 and surpassing the Philippines as the country with the highest number of infections in Southeast Asia.


jerusalempost--2020-04-17--Czech hospitals report cyberattacks day after national watchdog's warning

The university hospital in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava said it had foiled an attack on one of its servers overnight .
`` Last night , the hospital was a target of a cyber attack , '' spokeswoman Petra Petlachova said .
`` It was aimed at one of our servers .
Our IT staff have foiled similar attacks often .
We continuously take maximum measures to secure and protect our IT infrastructure , '' she said .
A spokesman at the country 's NUKIB cybersecurity watchdog said he could not immediately confirm the Ostrava incident .
At another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olomouc , a spokesman said staff had also detected suspicous activity on Friday .
`` We withstood the flagged hacking attacks .
We noticed heightened activity ( in the form ) of scanning of our network from the flagged IP addresses , and we made an extra back-up of all our systems as recommended , '' Adam Fritscher said .
NUKIB had said on Thursday that it expected similar attacks aimed at damaging or completely disabling computers and computer systems in the coming days .
A Czech official speaking on condition of anonymity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible for the activity NUKIB had identified but it was thought to be the work of a `` serious and advanced adversary . ''
Hackers ranging from cyber criminals to government-backed spies are thought to have been targeting businesses , governments and healthcare organisations with attempts to steal sensitive information related to the new coronavirus outbreak .
Prime Minister Andrej Babis said in a radio interview on Friday that the government was devoting `` absolute attention '' to potential attacks .
`` We have registered this information .
At the beginning , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our systems can withstand .
Now there have been reportedly some attacks on one hospital and the Health Ministry but , as I spoke to the chief of NUKIB ( Karel ) Rehka , we have withstood it , '' Babis told Radio Z .
`` I do n't understand why anyone would do anything so filthy at this time . ''

The university hospital in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava said it had foiled an attack on one of its servers overnight.
"Last night, the hospital was a target of a cyber attack," spokeswoman Petra Petlachova said. "It was aimed at one of our servers. Our IT staff have foiled similar attacks often. We continuously take maximum measures to secure and protect our IT infrastructure," she said.
A spokesman at the country's NUKIB cybersecurity watchdog said he could not immediately confirm the Ostrava incident.
At another hospital, in the eastern city of Olomouc, a spokesman said staff had also detected suspicous activity on Friday.
"We withstood the flagged hacking attacks. We noticed heightened activity (in the form) of scanning of our network from the flagged IP addresses, and we made an extra back-up of all our systems as recommended," Adam Fritscher said.
NUKIB had said on Thursday that it expected similar attacks aimed at damaging or completely disabling computers and computer systems in the coming days.
A Czech official speaking on condition of anonymity said it was not clear who was responsible for the activity NUKIB had identified but it was thought to be the work of a "serious and advanced adversary."
Hackers ranging from cyber criminals to government-backed spies are thought to have been targeting businesses, governments and healthcare organisations with attempts to steal sensitive information related to the new coronavirus outbreak.
Prime Minister Andrej Babis said in a radio interview on Friday that the government was devoting "absolute attention" to potential attacks.
"We have registered this information. At the beginning, there was some kind of probing of what our systems can withstand. Now there have been reportedly some attacks on one hospital and the Health Ministry but, as I spoke to the chief of NUKIB (Karel) Rehka, we have withstood it," Babis told Radio Z. "I don't understand why anyone would do anything so filthy at this time."
Two hospitals in the Czech Republic reported attempted attacks on their computer systems on Friday, a day after the national cybersecurity watchdog said it expected a wave of cyberattacks on the country's critical infrastructure.


jerusalempost--2020-04-17--UK hospital COVID-19 death toll rises 847 to 14,576

`` 341,551 people have been tested of which 108,692 tested positive , '' the health ministry said .

"341,551 people have been tested of which 108,692 tested positive," the health ministry said.
The United Kingdom's hospital death toll from COVID-19 rose 847 to 14,576, as of 1600 GMT on April 16, the health ministry said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-17--N.Korean leader absence from anniversary event fuels speculation

North Korea on Wednesday marked the anniversary of the birthday of its national founder and Kim 's grandfather , Kim Il Sung , as a national holiday known as the Day of the Sun .
Senior officials paid tribute to the embalmed body of Kim Il Sung enshrined in the Kumsusan Palace of Sun , state media KCNA said on Thursday .
But did not mention Kim as part of the delegation , unlike the past .
He was also absent from photos released by party mouthpiece Rodong Sinmun .
His purported absence triggered speculation among experts that Kim , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be having health problems .
A spokeswoman at Seoul 's Unification Ministry , which handles North Korea affairs , said on Thursday it was aware that state media has not reported on Kim 's visit but declined to provide any analysis .
Cheong Seong-chang , a senior fellow at South Korea 's Sejong Institute , said it was the first time in decades Kim 's visit to the palace on that holiday was not reported state media since he took power in late December .
`` He has been going there on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to flaunt his royalty to them and sacred bloodline , '' Cheong said .
`` It is possible that there was a problem with his health or safety even if temporary , though it is difficult to assess how the situation might be . ''
Pyongyang fired multiple short-range missiles on Tuesday which Seoul officials said was part of the celebration .
Such military events would usually be observed by Kim , but there was no KCNA report on the test at all .
Kim was last publicly seen presiding over a meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politburo last Saturday .

North Korea on Wednesday marked the anniversary of the birthday of its national founder and Kim's grandfather, Kim Il Sung, as a national holiday known as the Day of the Sun.
Senior officials paid tribute to the embalmed body of Kim Il Sung enshrined in the Kumsusan Palace of Sun, state media KCNA said on Thursday. But did not mention Kim as part of the delegation, unlike the past. He was also absent from photos released by party mouthpiece Rodong Sinmun.
His purported absence triggered speculation among experts that Kim, who is aged 36 and overweight, might be having health problems.
A spokeswoman at Seoul's Unification Ministry, which handles North Korea affairs, said on Thursday it was aware that state media has not reported on Kim's visit but declined to provide any analysis.
Cheong Seong-chang, a senior fellow at South Korea's Sejong Institute, said it was the first time in decades Kim's visit to the palace on that holiday was not reported state media since he took power in late December.
"He has been going there on the birthdays of his grandfather and father to flaunt his royalty to them and sacred bloodline," Cheong said.
"It is possible that there was a problem with his health or safety even if temporary, though it is difficult to assess how the situation might be."
Pyongyang fired multiple short-range missiles on Tuesday which Seoul officials said was part of the celebration. Such military events would usually be observed by Kim, but there was no KCNA report on the test at all.
Kim was last publicly seen presiding over a meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's politburo last Saturday.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's absence from an important anniversary event this week rekindled speculation over his potential health problems, analysts said on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-17--Coronavirus cases in the Netherlands top 30,000

The death toll among people known to have been infected with the novel coronavirus increased by 144 to 3,459 the @ @ @ @ @ ( RIVM ) said in its daily update .

The death toll among people known to have been infected with the novel coronavirus increased by 144 to 3,459 the Dutch Institute for Public Health (RIVM) said in its daily update.
Confirmed coronavirus infections in the Netherlands have risen by 1,235 to 30,449, Dutch health authorities said on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-17--Israel's coronavirus death toll reaches 149

Of the country ’ s 182 serious patients , 129 are on ventilators - an 8 % drop from the day before , inline with the flattening of the curve .
However , the number of patients in serious condition rose by 4.6 % .
The number of new cases per day also dropped slightly on Wednesday with 455 new cases compared to 460 new cases on Tuesday and then more drastically on Thursday when there were only 257 new cases confirmed .
The number of daily tests conducted has increased and decreased overtime , so it is unclear if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to that number .
The Ministry of Health tested 11,908 people for the novel virus on Thursday - the most in any one day so far .
As of Friday morning , 97 new cases had been confirmed , but that number will most likely rise once the usual evening update is released .
A slight decrease was noticed in the number of active patients as well over the past 36 hours .
While the number of active cases rose from 9,764 on Wednesday morning to 9,827 on Thursday morning , it then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening and then fell again to 9,740 on Friday morning.The number of new cases per day also dropped slightly on Wednesday with 455 new cases compared to 460 new cases on Tuesday and then more drastically on Thursday when there were only 257 new cases confirmed.The number of daily tests conducted has increased and decreased overtime , so it is unclear if the drop in active cases is correlated to that number .
The Ministry of Health tested 11,908 people for the novel virus on Thursday - the most in any one day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases had been confirmed , but that number will most likely rise once the usual evening update is released .
Overnight , Israeli leaders agreed on a plan to begin opening the economy by Sunday , the Prime Minister 's Office announced .
After hours of heated debate , Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted the principals for an exit strategy that was presented to him by the National Security Council on Thursday .
The plan was drafted with the help of a team of scientists , doctors and economists and balanced between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health , Economy and Defense ministries .
The government will gradually open a limited number of businesses , which will be subject to the rules and restrictions that the Health and Finance ministries will determine by Saturday night .
In addition , the plan calls for permitting exercise and sports up to 500 meters from home and re-opening small-scale special education programs .
The final plan will be drafted over the next 48 hours and brought to a vote by the cabinet on Saturday night .
Jeruaslem ’ s continues to have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,477 , with 270.84 out of every 100,000 residents infected with the virus .
The Health Ministry has also conducted the most tests in the City of Gold : 24,092 .
The second highest number of cases is in Bnei Brak - 2,201 - where 10,395 people have been tested and 1,127 out of every 100,000 residents are infected .
In terms of per-capita infections disregarding recoveries and deaths , Bnei Brak is leading , while Jerusalem is 15th on the list .
All other Israeli cities have less than 1,000 cases .

The "new coronavirus normal" allows for greater freedom of movement for the public and an increase in business. The Israeli economy has begun opening up on Sunday, after the government approved the new directives presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday night with minor modifications. The overnight meeting ran from 1:30 a.m. until almost 7 a.m., although the new restrictions went into effect at 6 a.m.The "new coronavirus normal" allows for greater freedom of movement for the public and an increase in business.
"The head of the National Security Council and his team consulted with their corresponding teams in other countries. Everyone is grappling with the same questions. This is a very difficult dilemma." "We will begin to free both people and the economy,” the prime minister said during a televised statement Saturday night. “In recent days, I have consulted on steps to open the economy with the health system staff, government ministers and the governor of the Bank of Israel, as well as experts on viruses from Israel and abroad.""The head of the National Security Council and his team consulted with their corresponding teams in other countries. Everyone is grappling with the same questions. This is a very difficult dilemma."
Companies can now bring 30% of their employees into the office – up from 15%. In addition, the hi-tech sector and some other key industries are being given even greater flexibility, so long as they adhere to the directives of the Health Ministry.
“In order to cut the bureaucracy, they will not have to get a permit from the authorities, but [will have to] declare that they are working according to guidelines, and we will monitor that,” Netanyahu explained, noting that companies will receive a “purple ribbon” for ensuring they check their employees’ temperatures upon arrival, maintain hygienic standards in the office, enforce the wearing of masks and that people maintain a distance of two meters from each other, among other requirements.
Finance Ministry Director-General Shai Babad reiterated that if workers can do their jobs from home it is still preferable.
Stand-alone stores will be allowed to open and sell their products and services in most cases, though beauty and hair salons, and toy, clothing and shoe stores will remain closed, as well as malls and open-air markets.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy,” Netanyahu said.
Prayer quorums in open spaces may also resume in groups of 19 people, as long as participants maintain a distance of two meters apart. In addition, up to 10 people can now attend circumcision ceremonies and weddings as long as guests maintain a distance of two meters from one another. Men can go to the mikveh as long as at any given time there are no more than three people on premise. The prime minister announced that individual sports may resume – up to 500 meters from one's home. People can also exercise in groups of two, as long as they maintain a consistent training partner.Prayer quorums in open spaces may also resume in groups of 19 people, as long as participants maintain a distance of two meters apart. In addition, up to 10 people can now attend circumcision ceremonies and weddings as long as guests maintain a distance of two meters from one another. Men can go to the mikveh as long as at any given time there are no more than three people on premise.
The government will now allow zoos, safaris and national parks to operate, too, for the purpose of holding an activity in an open place intended for a person with a disability and in accordance with the guidelines of the Health Ministry. Special education will also start to operate again in groups of up to three children, and three families can hire a caretaker for their children in order to go to work.The government will now allow zoos, safaris and national parks to operate, too, for the purpose of holding an activity in an open place intended for a person with a disability and in accordance with the guidelines of the Health Ministry.
In order to facilitate the increased public activity, public transportation will be boosted accordingly.
“The good results we have achieved allow us to take measures in the opposite direction,” Netanyahu said, “not to make them more stringent but to offer relief.”
The new regulations are in effect until April 30. During that time, the Health Ministry will continue to test people for coronavirus and closely monitor the trend line. Netanyahu highlighted that "if the rate of infection continues to slow, and there is stabilization of the number of severely the sick, there will be more relief; if not, we will reinstate harsher measures.”
During the meeting, Ministers Gilad Erdan and Ze'ev Elkin pushed to have the distance-from-home restrictions removed, but the Health Ministry director-general and head of the National Security Council wanted to keep these restrictions in place and Netanyahu back them, according to N12. The government decided that anyone who is seen in public without a mask will first be given a warning and then will be fined NIS 200 for any subsequent offenses. Despite the shift, people will still be asked to wear masks in public, keep a distance of two meters from one another, wash their hands regularly and not travel more than 100 meters from home unless engaging in an approved activity.During the meeting, Ministers Gilad Erdan and Ze'ev Elkin pushed to have the distance-from-home restrictions removed, but the Health Ministry director-general and head of the National Security Council wanted to keep these restrictions in place and Netanyahu back them, according to N12.The government decided that anyone who is seen in public without a mask will first be given a warning and then will be fined NIS 200 for any subsequent offenses.
Ahead of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, the prime minister called on the Muslim public to celebrate the festival only with their nuclear families, as the Jewish public did during Passover. He added that the upcoming national holidays, including Remembrance and Independence days, will also need to be observed privately.
As of Sunday morning, 13,362 people have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus in Israel, according to the Health Ministry, showing signs that the spread is beginning to level out. So far, 171 people have died of SARS-CoV-2 and 3,456 have recovered.
Of the country’s 156 serious patients, 109 are on ventilators, a number which marked a 7.4% drop from the previous day. Moreover, the number of patients in serious condition similarly dropped by 2.4% from the day before, which had already seen an 8.6% drop from Thursday.
Jerusalem continues to have the highest number of cases in Israel at 2,524, with 276 out of every 100,000 residents infected with the virus. The Health Ministry has also conducted the most tests in the capital: 24,769 so far.
The second highest number of cases (2,258) is in Bnei Brak, where 10,719 people have been tested and 1,156 out of every 100,000 are infected – more than four times as many per capita as Jerusalem.
In terms of per-capita infections disregarding recoveries and deaths, Bnei Brak is leading, while Jerusalem is 15th on the list.


jerusalempost--2020-04-17--Chinese and Malaysian ships in South China Sea standoff

China 's Haiyang Dizhi 8 entered waters near Malaysia on Thursday , according to ship tracking website Marine Traffic .
On Friday , it was close to the Petronas-operated West Capella , according to the security sources , who did not want to be identified because they were not authorized to talk to the media .
One of the sources said a Vietnamese vessel was also tagging the West Capella .
The area is close to waters claimed by both Vietnam and Malaysia as well by China , through its sweeping claim to most of the South China Sea within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not recognized by its neighbors or most of the world .
The United States has accused China of taking advantage of the distraction of the coronavirus pandemic to advance its presence in the South China Sea .
On Wednesday , a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said the Haiyang Dizhi 8 was conducting normal activities and accused U.S. officials of smearing Beijing .
A Malaysian security source said the Haiyang Dizhi 8 was flanked at one point on Friday by more than 10 Chinese vessels , including those belonging to maritime militia and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Vietnamese vessel .
The Malaysian prime minister 's office , the defense ministry and Petronas did not respond to requests for comment .
Zubil Mat Som , the head of Malaysia 's maritime enforcement agency , confirmed that the Haiyang Dizhi 8 was in Malaysian waters , Malay-language daily Harian Metro reported .
`` We do not know its purpose but it is not carrying out any activities against the law , '' he said , according to the report .
The foreign ministries of China and Vietnam did not immediately respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dizhi 8 was 324 km ( 200 miles ) off the Malaysian coast , within Malaysia 's exclusive economic zone , Marine Traffic data showed .
It was flanked by a Chinese coastguard vessel as it moved in a hash-shaped pattern consistent with carrying out a survey , as it did during a tense standoff in Vietnamese waters last year .
The West Capella was not visible on the tracking data , but the security sources said the vessel was in the area .
The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative , a Washington DC-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there since October .
China has sent medical help to Malaysia , which has reported more than 5,000 coronavirus infections .
China claims almost all of the energy-rich South China Sea , also a major trade route each year .
The Philippines , Brunei , Vietnam , Malaysia and Taiwan have overlapping claims .

China's Haiyang Dizhi 8 entered waters near Malaysia on Thursday, according to ship tracking website Marine Traffic.
On Friday, it was close to the Petronas-operated West Capella, according to the security sources, who did not want to be identified because they were not authorized to talk to the media. One of the sources said a Vietnamese vessel was also tagging the West Capella.
The area is close to waters claimed by both Vietnam and Malaysia as well by China, through its sweeping claim to most of the South China Sea within its U-shaped 'nine-dash line' that is not recognized by its neighbors or most of the world.
The United States has accused China of taking advantage of the distraction of the coronavirus pandemic to advance its presence in the South China Sea.
On Wednesday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said the Haiyang Dizhi 8 was conducting normal activities and accused U.S. officials of smearing Beijing.
A Malaysian security source said the Haiyang Dizhi 8 was flanked at one point on Friday by more than 10 Chinese vessels, including those belonging to maritime militia and the coast guard. That source also mentioned the Vietnamese vessel.
The Malaysian prime minister's office, the defense ministry and Petronas did not respond to requests for comment.
Zubil Mat Som, the head of Malaysia's maritime enforcement agency, confirmed that the Haiyang Dizhi 8 was in Malaysian waters, Malay-language daily Harian Metro reported.
"We do not know its purpose but it is not carrying out any activities against the law," he said, according to the report.
The foreign ministries of China and Vietnam did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Haiyang Dizhi 8 was 324 km (200 miles) off the Malaysian coast, within Malaysia's exclusive economic zone, Marine Traffic data showed.
It was flanked by a Chinese coastguard vessel as it moved in a hash-shaped pattern consistent with carrying out a survey, as it did during a tense standoff in Vietnamese waters last year.
The West Capella was not visible on the tracking data, but the security sources said the vessel was in the area. The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, a Washington DC-based think tank, has signaled its presence there since October.
China has sent medical help to Malaysia, which has reported more than 5,000 coronavirus infections.
China claims almost all of the energy-rich South China Sea, also a major trade route each year. The Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan have overlapping claims.
A Chinese government survey ship is tagging an exploration vessel operated by Malaysia's state oil company Petronas in disputed waters in the South China Sea, three regional security sources said on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-17--12 more Palestinians diagnosed with coronavirus

Twelve more Palestinians have been diagnosed positively with the coronavirus, reports Channel 12.The new cases raise the number of Palestinians diagnosed with the coronavirus to 307.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--Spain's coronavirus death toll surpasses 20,000 but daily increase slows

MADRID - Spain 's death toll from coronavirus rose by 565 on Saturday , down from a rise of 585 @ @ @ @ @ Ministry said , bringing the total to 20,043 deaths in one of the world 's @ @ @ @ @ number of overall coronavirus cases rose to 191,726 on Saturday from 188,068 on Friday , @ @ @

MADRID - Spain's death toll from coronavirus rose by 565 on Saturday, down from a rise of 585 on Friday, the Health Ministry said, bringing the total to 20,043 deaths in one of the world's hardest hit countries.
The number of overall coronavirus cases rose to 191,726 on Saturday from 188,068 on Friday, it added.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--First coronavirus death in East Jerusalem

The first death from coronavirus in East Jerusalem was reported on Saturday.Noel Abu Alhomos, 78, of Issawiya, died on Friday night at Shaare Zedek Hospital as a result of COVID-19.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--Philippines records 10 new coronavirus deaths, 209 more cases

MANILA - The Philippines ' health ministry on Saturday reported 10 new coronavirus deaths and 209 additional infections .
In @ @ @ @ @ ministry said total infections have risen to 6,087 , while deaths have reached 397 .
@ @ @ @ @ patients have recovered , bringing the total to 516 .

MANILA - The Philippines' health ministry on Saturday reported 10 new coronavirus deaths and 209 additional infections.
In a bulletin, the health ministry said total infections have risen to 6,087, while deaths have reached 397.
It added that 29 more patients have recovered, bringing the total to 516.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--Russia says its coronavirus death toll rises to 313

The authorities reported 4,785 new cases over the past 24 hours , bringing the total number to 36,793 .
Moscow @ @ @ @ @ of Russia 's coronavirus outbreak and was also the first region in the country to @ @ @ @ @ 2,649 new cases , and 21 new deaths , the Russian coronavirus crisis response centre @ @ @ @ @ Russia began rising sharply this month , although it had reported far fewer infections than @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak 's early stages .
Like in many countries , health authorities in Russia @ @ @ @ @ testing .
Private testing results in Moscow among people without symptoms suggest the virus has @ @ @ @ @ population than official data shows .

The authorities reported 4,785 new cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number to 36,793.
Moscow, which became the epicentre of Russia's coronavirus outbreak and was also the first region in the country to introduce a lockdown, recorded 2,649 new cases, and 21 new deaths, the Russian coronavirus crisis response centre said.
Coronavirus infections in Russia began rising sharply this month, although it had reported far fewer infections than many western European countries in the outbreak's early stages.
Like in many countries, health authorities in Russia are not carrying out mass testing. Private testing results in Moscow among people without symptoms suggest the virus has penetrated more deeply into its population than official data shows.
MOSCOW - Russia said on Saturday its death toll from the novel coronavirus had risen to 313, an overnight increase of 40, as it posted a new record daily jump in new cases.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--Confirmed Japan coronavirus cases hit 10,000

TOKYO - The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in Japan rose to 10,000 on Saturday , NHK public broadcaster @ @ @ @ @ a state of emergency was extended to the entire nation in an attempt to slow @ @ @ @ @ .
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday appealed to the nation to stay indoors @ @ @ @ @ record in the capital of Tokyo and fears medical services could fail in rural areas @ @ @ @ @ elderly prompted the expansion of the state of emergency from an original seven areas .
@ @ @ @ @ died from the virus in Japan , but Tokyo remains the hardest-hit area , reporting @ @ @ @ @ alone - a new record .

TOKYO - The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in Japan rose to 10,000 on Saturday, NHK public broadcaster said, just days after a state of emergency was extended to the entire nation in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday appealed to the nation to stay indoors as new cases hit a record in the capital of Tokyo and fears medical services could fail in rural areas that are home to many elderly prompted the expansion of the state of emergency from an original seven areas.
Just over 200 people have died from the virus in Japan, but Tokyo remains the hardest-hit area, reporting 201 new infections on Friday alone - a new record.
Tokyo reported 181 new cases on Saturday, NHK reported.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--China reports 27 new coronavirus cases, death toll at 4,632

Of that figure , 17 cases were imported via individuals arriving overseas , up from 15 the previous day .
@ @ @ @ @ at 54 , down from 66 a day earlier .
Three of the new cases @ @ @ @ @ the health ministry .
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country reached @ @ @ @ @ 300 from the number reported the day prior .
The sharp uptake follows revisions in @ @ @ @ @ announced on Friday .

China's National Health Commission reported 27 new confirmed coronavirus cases on April 17, up from 26 the day earlier, according to data published on Saturday.
Of that figure, 17 cases were imported via individuals arriving overseas, up from 15 the previous day.
Newly discovered asymptomatic cases were at 54, down from 66 a day earlier. Three of the new cases were imported, according to the health ministry.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country reached 82,719, an increase of 300 from the number reported the day prior. The sharp uptake follows revisions in case reporting that the NHC announced on Friday.
The ministry placed the total death toll from the virus at 4,632 as of April 17, a number it originally reported on Friday when it publicly announced the revised figures. The new death toll marks an increase of over 1,000.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--Many migrants on US deportation flight had coronavirus

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Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei said on Friday that a large number of the migrants on a deportation flight from the United States to Guatemala earlier this week were infected with the novel coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-04-19--Coronavirus guidelines include prison for business owners who don't comply

New coronavirus guidelines include a section which says a business owner who opens his store without the proper permits will face up to six months in prison, as well as receive a registered criminal record.


jerusalempost--2020-04-19--Trump: Some states to begin lifting coronavirus restrictions

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Texas and Vermont will allow certain businesses to reopen on Monday while still observing coronavirus-related precautions and Montana will begin lifting restrictions on Friday."We continue to see a number of positive signs that the virus has passed its peak," Trump told reporters at a daily briefing.Some state governors have warned that they will not act prematurely to reopen their economies until there is more testing for the virus, however. Business leaders have also told Trump the country needs to have widespread testing in place before their companies can return to normal operations.On Saturday, Trump said "our testing is getting better and better," but offered no concrete evidence.He said both Republican and Democratic governors "have announced concrete steps to begin a safe and gradual phased opening." Texas and Vermont "will allow certain business to open on Monday while still requiring appropriate social distancing precautions," he said.Several dozen protesters gathered in the Texas capital of Austin on Saturday, chanting "USA! USA!" and "Let us work!"On Saturday morning, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York, epicenter of the US epidemic, said his coronavirus-battered state may finally be past the worst of the health crisis there.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--Government meeting discussing new lockdown guidelines to be held at 1:30am

Government ministers are to discuss the new coronavirus guidelines at 1.30am local time, hours before they are due to be rolled out. The proposed measures have already been made public during a press conference by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Several Minister have expressed their displeasure with the guidelines, saying that they should not have been made public before they were discussed, according to N12.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--Lastest coronavirus fatality: 80-year-old man

Ottomany Muyain of Baqa al-Gharbiyye, who was hospitalized in the coronavirus treatment department in Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera, has died from Covid-19. The hospital noted that he suffered from several surrounding illnesses.His death brings the total number of deaths from the coronavirus in Israel to 165.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--Bahrain's king applauds Trump's efforts in boosting global economic growth

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa expressed his appreciation for US President Donald Trump's efforts in achieving stability in energy markets to boost global economy growth, state news agency BNA said on Saturday.In a phone call between the two leaders, Bahrain's king also welcomed American efforts in maintaining security and stability in the region, and the active role of the American military "to protect international shipping in the Arabian Gulf, Arab Sea and Bab al-Mandab."Al Khalifa also stressed the importance of international cooperation to fight the coronavirus pandemic.The White House confirmed the call and said the two countries would work together on the coronavirus."The president and the king will continue to work together to defeat the virus, minimize its economic impact, and focus on critical regional issues," it said in a statement."The president thanked the king for Bahrain's strong support for efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East, and for hosting the United States Fifth Fleet."


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--124 IDF soldiers test positive for coronavirus, 1,310 in quarantine

A total of 124 soldiers so far have tested positive for the novel COVID-19, according to the IDF spokesperson's unit.All of those ill were identified as being in good, stable condition, with 61 either healing or being released. In addition, 1,310 soldiers are currently in quarantine.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--Benny Gantz: Significant progress in negotiations with Benjamin Netanyahu

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz told his associates that significant progress has been made in negotations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to numerous reports in Israeli media.He added that he expects them to reach a deal soon.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--Doctor's assistant tests positive for coronavirus, in serious condition

A 33-year-old doctor's assistant from Sheba Medical Center has tested positive for the novel coronavirus and is currently in serious condition.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--Italy's daily coronavirus death toll lowest since April 12

Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy rose by 482 on Saturday , the lowest daily increase since April 12 @ @ @ @ @ new cases was stable at 3,491 , the Civil Protection Agency said .
The death @ @ @ @ @ on Friday , up from 525 the day before , with 3,493 new cases recorded @ @ @ @ @ deaths and cases extend the broadly stable situation in place over the last 13 days @ @ @ @ @ considerably from peaks reached around the end of March , but the downtrend has not @ @ @ @ @ hoped in a country that has been in lockdown for almost six weeks .
Saturday @ @ @ @ @ the lowest daily rise since last Sunday , when it stood at 431 .

Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy rose by 482 on Saturday, the lowest daily increase since April 12, while the number of new cases was stable at 3,491, the Civil Protection Agency said.
The death toll had risen by 575 on Friday, up from 525 the day before, with 3,493 new cases recorded.
The daily tallies of deaths and cases extend the broadly stable situation in place over the last 13 days.
This plateau is down considerably from peaks reached around the end of March, but the downtrend has not proceeded as fast as was hoped in a country that has been in lockdown for almost six weeks.
Saturday's number of deaths marked the lowest daily rise since last Sunday, when it stood at 431.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--New York coronavirus daily death toll at two-week low

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Saturday that 540 people died across his state over the last 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ , marking the lowest daily tally in more than two weeks .
Speaking at a @ @ @ @ @ said new hospital admissions stayed around the 2,000-patient mark , which he said was `` @ @ @ @ @ ''

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Saturday that 540 people died across his state over the last 24 hours due to the novel coronavirus, marking the lowest daily tally in more than two weeks.
Speaking at a daily briefing, Cuomo also said new hospital admissions stayed around the 2,000-patient mark, which he said was "still an overwhelming number."


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--Nigerian president's chief of staff dies from coronavirus

Abba Kyari had acted as the gatekeeper to 77-year-old President Muhammadu Buhari .
After his re-election last year , Buhari @ @ @ @ @ communications through him .
Kyari had underlying health problems including diabetes .
His age was @ @ @ @ @ two presidency aides said he was 70 .
Reuters reported on March 24 that he @ @ @ @ @ `` The deceased had tested positive to the ravaging COVID-19 , and had been receiving @ @ @ @ @ on Friday , April 17 , 2020 , '' presidency spokesman Garba Shehu said in @ @ @

Abba Kyari had acted as the gatekeeper to 77-year-old President Muhammadu Buhari. After his re-election last year, Buhari ordered ministers to channel all communications through him.
Kyari had underlying health problems including diabetes. His age was not officially disclosed, although two presidency aides said he was 70. Reuters reported on March 24 that he had contracted the disease.
"The deceased had tested positive to the ravaging COVID-19, and had been receiving treatment. But he died on Friday, April 17, 2020," presidency spokesman Garba Shehu said in a tweet.
The Nigerian president's chief of staff died on Friday from COVID-19, the presidency said on Saturday, making him the most high profile person in the country to die in the coronavirus outbreak.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--Netanyahu, Bar Siman Tov to give address after Shabbat - report

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Director-General of the Health Ministry Moshe Bar Siman Tov are rumored to be delivering an address to the Israeli public after Shabbat on the decision of the government to lighten the coronavirus restrictions.The address will be after the government meets to decide the exact changes in restrictions.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--Kazakhstan detains government critic for `spreading false information'

The former television executive turned nationalist politician has often attacked members of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev 's cabinet , while avoiding @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Using social networks , citizen Shurayev ... has repeatedly spread knowingly false information @ @ @ @ @ statement said , without providing further details .
It said Shurayev 's actions had endangered @ @ @ @ @ of the national coronavirus emergency and could be punishable by up to seven years in @ @ @ @ @ post made around mid-day on Saturday , Shorayev accused a senior official of corruption .
@ @ @ @ @ criticized the government 's borrowing plans and the cost of building a specialized hospital for @ @ @ @ @ , he became a member of the council of national trust , an advisory body @ @ @ @ @ but was removed by the president this year along with several other members in what @ @ @ @ @ rotation .

The former television executive turned nationalist politician has often attacked members of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's cabinet, while avoiding criticism of the president himself.
"Using social networks, citizen Shurayev... has repeatedly spread knowingly false information," a brief police statement said, without providing further details.
It said Shurayev's actions had endangered public order at the time of the national coronavirus emergency and could be punishable by up to seven years in prison.
In a Facebook post made around mid-day on Saturday, Shorayev accused a senior official of corruption. In other recent posts he criticized the government's borrowing plans and the cost of building a specialized hospital for coronavirus patients.
Last year, he became a member of the council of national trust, an advisory body set up by Tokayev, but was removed by the president this year along with several other members in what officials said was a planned rotation.
ALMATY - Kazakhstan has detained political activist and government critic Arman Shorayev in connection with the alleged spreading of "false information" during a state of emergency, police said on Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--UK hospital coronavirus death toll rises 888 to 15,464

Britain 's hospital death toll from COVID-19 rose by 888 to 15,464 as of 1600 GMT on April 17 , @ @ @ @ @ `` 357,023 people have been tested , of which 114,217 tested positive , '' the @ @ @ @

Britain's hospital death toll from COVID-19 rose by 888 to 15,464 as of 1600 GMT on April 17, the health ministry said.
"357,023 people have been tested, of which 114,217 tested positive," the health ministry said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--France to shun discrimination by age in coronavirus lockdown exit

Speculation had grown in recent days over whether older people , who are considered more vulnerable to the deadly virus @ @ @ @ @ stay at home for longer .
Comments this week in France 's Senate by Professor @ @ @ @ @ the scientific council advising the government on the epidemic - in particular sparked a backlash @ @ @ @ @ for people aged 65 or 70 , the confinement order could continue.France 's registered death @ @ @ @ @ 19,000 on Friday , but most data provided further indications that the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ one-month-old national lockdown.France 's lockdown to combat the outbreak , which like in Spain , @ @ @ @ @ countries includes restrictions on store openings and people 's movements , will remain in place @ @ @ @ @ , President Emmanuel Macron said earlier this week .

Speculation had grown in recent days over whether older people, who are considered more vulnerable to the deadly virus, would be told to stay at home for longer.
France's registered death toll from coronavirus infections neared 19,000 on Friday, but most data provided further indications that the spread of the disease was slowing after the one-month-old national lockdown. France's lockdown to combat the outbreak, which like in Spain, Italy and many other European countries includes restrictions on store openings and people's movements, will remain in place until at least May 11, President Emmanuel Macron said earlier this week. Comments this week in France's Senate by Professor Jean-François Delfraissy - who heads the scientific council advising the government on the epidemic - in particular sparked a backlash, after he said that for people aged 65 or 70, the confinement order could continue.France's registered death toll from coronavirus infections neared 19,000 on Friday, but most data provided further indications that the spread of the disease was slowing after the one-month-old national lockdown.France's lockdown to combat the outbreak, which like in Spain, Italy and many other European countries includes restrictions on store openings and people's movements, will remain in place until at least May 11, President Emmanuel Macron said earlier this week.
France will look to avoid setting different rules for older people and other forms of discrimination once the government starts easing its coronavirus confinement measures, the French President's office said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--82-year-old from Bat Yam retirement home dies of coronavirus

An 82-year-old with preexisting conditions passed away on Saturday after being treated for coronavirus at Ichilov Hospital.He had been living in the "Home in the Heart" retirement home in Bat Yam.


jerusalempost--2020-04-18--Dutch coronavirus infections reach 31,589, 142 new deaths

Confirmed coronavirus infections in the Netherlands have risen by 1,140 to 31,589 , Dutch health authorities said on Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ known to have been infected with the novel coronavirus increased by 142 to 3,601 , @ @ @ @ @ Health ( RIVM ) said in its daily update .

Confirmed coronavirus infections in the Netherlands have risen by 1,140 to 31,589, Dutch health authorities said on Saturday.
The death toll among people known to have been infected with the novel coronavirus increased by 142 to 3,601, the Dutch Institute for Public Health (RIVM) said in its daily update.


jerusalempost--2020-04-19--Iran will give a decisive response to any "mistake" by the US in the Gulf

The US military said on Wednesday that 11 vessels from the Revolutionary Guards navy had come dangerously close to US @ @ @ @ @ in the Gulf , calling the moves `` dangerous and provocative . ''
`` We @ @ @ @ @ international regulations and maritime protocols in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and @ @ @ @ @ and false and fake stories , '' Sunday 's statement from the Guards navy said @ @ @ @ @ assured that the Revolutionary Guards navy and the powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic @ @ @ @ @ actions of foreigners in the region as a threat to national security and its red @ @ @ @ @ calculation on their part will receive a decisive response . ''

Iran will give a decisive response to any mistake by the United States in the Gulf, the Revolutionary Guards navy said in a statement published on the Guards' news site Sepah News.
The US military said on Wednesday that 11 vessels from the Revolutionary Guards navy had come dangerously close to US Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Gulf, calling the moves "dangerous and provocative".
"We advise the Americans to follow international regulations and maritime protocols in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and to refrain from any adventurism and false and fake stories," Sunday's statement from the Guards navy said.
"They should be assured that the Revolutionary Guards navy and the powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran sees the dangerous actions of foreigners in the region as a threat to national security and its red line and any error in calculation on their part will receive a decisive response."The US said that the IRGC vessels conducted unsafe and unprofessional actions, coming around ships’ bows and sterns at close range in the North Arabian Gulf. They harassed the USS Lewis Puller which was supporting US 5th fleet operations. The Puller is operating Apache helicopters as a floating base, which some have alleged is a message to Iran.Video and photos showed the fast boats also harassing the guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton . In the video the Iranian boats speed around the US warships.The Iranian naval harassment comes as Iranian media recently reported it had conducted underwater mapping last week for its submarines. A Hong-Kong flagged tanker also reported being boarded by armed men, suspected to be linked to Iran, before the men left on Tuesday. Last July the USS Boxer downed an Iranian drone using jamming equipment.Iran is struggling to confront a massive coronavirus outbreak and it has been angry that US sanctions are not being lifted. It has been seeking to harass US forces in Iraq. It sent the head of its national security council to Iraq in March to coordinate pressure against the US and sent IRGC head Esmail Ghaani to Iraq in early April to speak with pro-Iranian groups.Seth J. Frantzmann contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-04-19--Swiss coronavirus death toll rises to 1,135, confirmed infections 27,740

The number of people showing positive tests for the disease increased to 27,740 , it said , up from 27,404 @

The number of people showing positive tests for the disease increased to 27,740, it said, up from 27,404.
The Swiss death toll from the novel coronavirus has reached 1,135 people, the country's public health agency said on Sunday, rising from 1,111 on Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-19--Spain's coronavirus toll slows, with 410 deaths overnight

The number of overall coronavirus cases rose to 195,944 on Sunday from 191,726 on Saturday , it added .

The number of overall coronavirus cases rose to 195,944 on Sunday from 191,726 on Saturday, it added.
Spain's death toll from the new coronavirus outbreak rose by 410 on Sunday, down from 565 on Saturday, the Health Ministry said, bringing the total to 20,453 deaths in one of the world's hardest hit countries.


jerusalempost--2020-04-19--Russia records record daily rise of over 6,000 coronavirus cases

The number of coronavirus cases in Russia began rising sharply this month , although it had reported far fewer infections @ @ @ @ @ in the outbreak 's early stages .

The number of coronavirus cases in Russia began rising sharply this month, although it had reported far fewer infections than many western European countries in the outbreak's early stages.
Russia on Sunday reported a record rise of 6,060 new coronavirus cases over the previous 24 hours, bringing its nationwide tally to 42,853, the Russian coronavirus crisis response center said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-19--Hamas: Israel responsible for coronavirus in Gaza, must send medical aid

Deputy Hamas leader Khalil al-Haya threatened that his organization will not sit indifferently if Israel does not transfer medical supplies to the Gaza Strip to fight off the novel COVID-19."The medical means we have to fight coronavirus are not enough and we have a greater need than what is in our possession," Haya said. "Israel is the one responsible for the outbreak in the Gaza Strip and therefore must facilitate the arrival of aid shipments, as well as send medical supplies."


jerusalempost--2020-04-19--Israeli 29-year-old dies of coronavirus

Israeli 29-year-old dies of coronavirus

Companies can now bring 30 % of their employees into the office – up from 15 % .
In addition , the hi-tech sector and some other key industries are being given even greater flexibility , so long as they adhere to the directives of the Health Ministry .
“ In order to cut the bureaucracy , they will not have to get a permit from the authorities , but [ will have to ] declare that they are working according to guidelines , and we will monitor that , ” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained Saturday night , noting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ribbon ” for ensuring they check their employees ’ temperatures upon arrival , maintain hygienic standards in the office , enforce the wearing of masks and that people maintain a distance of two meters from each other , among other requirements .
On Sunday morning , the government provided companies with a detailed accounting of how to achieve and maintain purple ribbon status .
Still , Finance Ministry Director-General Shai Babad reiterated that if workers can do their jobs from home it is still preferable .
Also , it is recommended that only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to work .
Those at high-risk of infection - with underlying medical conditions or over the age of 67 - are asked to stay home .
Stand-alone stores will be allowed to open and sell their products and services in most cases , though beauty and hair salons , and toy , clothing and shoe stores will remain closed , as well as malls and open-air markets .
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion wrote a letter to Netanyahu and Health Minister Ya ’ acov Litzman on Sunday informing them once again that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility for the Mahane Yehuda open-air market , including putting in place municipal supervision to ensure that Health Ministry guidelines are enforced while stores open .
`` The economic losses incurred by market traders in Mahane Yehuda , mostly defined as small and medium-sized businesses , are very large and there is a real concern for the total economic collapse of many of them , ” Lion wrote .
Regarding the general public , individual sports may resume – up to 500 meters from one 's home .
People can also exercise in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they maintain a consistent training partner .
Any activity that meets these limits is allowed .
Swimming at the beach , however , even if it is close to one ’ s home , is still prohibited .
In general , beaches , parks , playgrounds and municipal sports facilities are still closed .
Social visits are also still forbidden .
Walking and staying in other people 's homes will not be possible - except for a transition between 3 families , who can be in regular contact to keep their children .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ resume in groups of 19 people , as long as participants maintain a distance of two meters apart .
In addition , up to 10 people can now attend circumcision ceremonies and weddings as long as guests maintain a distance of two meters from one another .
Men can go to the mikveh as long as at any given time there are no more than three people on premise .
Special education has started to operate again in groups of up to three children , and three families can hire a caretaker for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work .
However , the general education system remains closed , as the Health Ministry strongly opposed schools , claiming school grounds are a festering ground for coronavirus contagions .
The Education Ministry and other senior officials are set to meet again this week to continue the discussion and a decision about the next steps for education should be made before the weekend .
Furthermore , the government will now allow zoos , safaris and national parks to operate , too , for the purpose of holding an activity in an open place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in accordance with the guidelines of the Health Ministry .
In order to facilitate the increased public activity , public transportation has been boosted accordingly .
The new regulations are in effect until April 30 .
During that time , the Health Ministry will continue to test people for coronavirus and closely monitor the trend line .
Netanyahu Saturday night highlighted that `` if the rate of infection continues to slow , and there is stabilization of the number of severely sick , there will be more relief ; if not , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on Sunday , Finance Ministry budget-director Shaul Meridor said that authorities are likely to enable the reopening of all retail stores after Independence Day ( March 29 ) should positive health trends continue .
`` In terms of retail , we see great demand both from consumers and many employees , usually with low wages , '' Meridor told Army Radio on Sunday .
`` This is the start , and we have opened less than half of all shops .
If we continue to see positive trends , I believe that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the full opening of retail shops - of course , according to the current [ Health Ministry ] requirements . ''
Meridor said measures approved by the government on Sunday morning will enable more than two million people to open their businesses fully , as long as they meet the `` purple seal '' criteria .
Whoever can work from home , should still work from home , he said .
Despite the shift , people will still be asked to wear masks in public , keep a distance of two meters from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not travel more than 100 meters from home unless engaging in an approved activity .
During the late-night meeting , which ran from 1:30 a.m. to nearly 7 a.m. , Ministers Gilad Erdan and Ze'ev Elkin pushed to have the distance-from-home restrictions removed , but the Health Ministry director-general and head of the National Security Council wanted to keep these restrictions in place and Netanyahu back them , according to N12 .
The government decided that anyone who is seen in public without a mask will first be given a warning and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any subsequent offenses .
The restriction does not apply to children under the age of six .
It also does not have to be worn while traveling in the car with family members .

Some 13,362 people have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus in Israel as of Sunday morning, according to the Health Ministry, showing signs that the spread is beginning to level out. So far, 171 people have died of SARS-CoV-2 and 3,456 have recovered. Among the latest dead is Israel's youngest victim: a 29-year-old who suffered from severe preexisting medical conditions. She was being treated at Hadassah Hospital. The next youngest patient to fall victim to the disease in Israel was 37.
Companies can now bring 30% of their employees into the office – up from 15%. In addition, the hi-tech sector and some other key industries are being given even greater flexibility, so long as they adhere to the directives of the Health Ministry.
“In order to cut the bureaucracy, they will not have to get a permit from the authorities, but [will have to] declare that they are working according to guidelines, and we will monitor that,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained Saturday night, noting that companies will receive a “purple ribbon” for ensuring they check their employees’ temperatures upon arrival, maintain hygienic standards in the office, enforce the wearing of masks and that people maintain a distance of two meters from each other, among other requirements.
On Sunday morning, the government provided companies with a detailed accounting of how to achieve and maintain purple ribbon status. Still, Finance Ministry Director-General Shai Babad reiterated that if workers can do their jobs from home it is still preferable.
Also, it is recommended that only healthy people under the age of 67 return to work. Those at high-risk of infection - with underlying medical conditions or over the age of 67 - are asked to stay home.
Stand-alone stores will be allowed to open and sell their products and services in most cases, though beauty and hair salons, and toy, clothing and shoe stores will remain closed, as well as malls and open-air markets.
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion wrote a letter to Netanyahu and Health Minister Ya’acov Litzman on Sunday informing them once again that the Jerusalem Municipality “is ready to take responsibility for the Mahane Yehuda open-air market, including putting in place municipal supervision to ensure that Health Ministry guidelines are enforced while stores open.
"The economic losses incurred by market traders in Mahane Yehuda, mostly defined as small and medium-sized businesses, are very large and there is a real concern for the total economic collapse of many of them,” Lion wrote.
Regarding the general public, individual sports may resume – up to 500 meters from one's home. People can also exercise in groups of two, as long as they maintain a consistent training partner. Any activity that meets these limits is allowed. Swimming at the beach, however, even if it is close to one’s home, is still prohibited.
In general, beaches, parks, playgrounds and municipal sports facilities are still closed.
Social visits are also still forbidden.
Walking and staying in other people's homes will not be possible - except for a transition between 3 families, who can be in regular contact to keep their children.
Prayer quorums in open spaces may also resume in groups of 19 people, as long as participants maintain a distance of two meters apart. In addition, up to 10 people can now attend circumcision ceremonies and weddings as long as guests maintain a distance of two meters from one another. Men can go to the mikveh as long as at any given time there are no more than three people on premise.
Special education has started to operate again in groups of up to three children, and three families can hire a caretaker for their children in order to go to work.
However, the general education system remains closed, as the Health Ministry strongly opposed schools, claiming school grounds are a festering ground for coronavirus contagions.
The Education Ministry and other senior officials are set to meet again this week to continue the discussion and a decision about the next steps for education should be made before the weekend.
Furthermore, the government will now allow zoos, safaris and national parks to operate, too, for the purpose of holding an activity in an open place intended for a person with a disability and in accordance with the guidelines of the Health Ministry.
In order to facilitate the increased public activity, public transportation has been boosted accordingly.
The new regulations are in effect until April 30. During that time, the Health Ministry will continue to test people for coronavirus and closely monitor the trend line.
Netanyahu Saturday night highlighted that "if the rate of infection continues to slow, and there is stabilization of the number of severely sick, there will be more relief; if not, we will reinstate harsher measures.”
Similarly, on Sunday, Finance Ministry budget-director Shaul Meridor said that authorities are likely to enable the reopening of all retail stores after Independence Day (March 29) should positive health trends continue.
"In terms of retail, we see great demand both from consumers and many employees, usually with low wages," Meridor told Army Radio on Sunday. "This is the start, and we have opened less than half of all shops. If we continue to see positive trends, I believe that after Independence Day, we will see the full opening of retail shops - of course, according to the current [Health Ministry] requirements."
Meridor said measures approved by the government on Sunday morning will enable more than two million people to open their businesses fully, as long as they meet the "purple seal" criteria. Whoever can work from home, should still work from home, he said.
Despite the shift, people will still be asked to wear masks in public, keep a distance of two meters from one another, wash their hands regularly and not travel more than 100 meters from home unless engaging in an approved activity.
During the late-night meeting, which ran from 1:30 a.m. to nearly 7 a.m., Ministers Gilad Erdan and Ze'ev Elkin pushed to have the distance-from-home restrictions removed, but the Health Ministry director-general and head of the National Security Council wanted to keep these restrictions in place and Netanyahu back them, according to N12.
The government decided that anyone who is seen in public without a mask will first be given a warning and then will be fined NIS 200 for any subsequent offenses. The restriction does not apply to children under the age of six. It also does not have to be worn while traveling in the car with family members.
The government approved loosening a number of personal and business restrictions early Sunday for the first time since the outbreak of coronavirus in Israel, as the number of intubated patients continued to fall and less than 100 new people were infected with the disease.


jerusalempost--2020-04-19--Man from Bnei Brak arrested for sending fake Health Ministry message

A 25-year-old resident of Bnei Brak is being prosecuted, subject to a hearing, for publishing fake news and false information on the internet.Maor Mizrahi was told by the Cyber Department of the State Attorney's Office that this was due to his sending text messages impersonating the official statements of the Health Ministry which ultimately caused an 18-year-old woman to enter quarantine for no apparent reason until she discovered that it was a scam.


jerusalempost--2020-04-19--Retail stores may open after Independence Day if positive trend continues

Authorities are likely to enable the reopening of all retail stores after Independence Day (March 29) should positive health trends continue, according to Finance Ministry budget-director Shaul Meridor."In terms of retail, we see great demand both from consumers and many employees, usually with low wages," Meridor told Army Radio on Sunday. "This is the start and we have opened less than half of all shops. If we continue to see positive trends, I believe that after Independence Day, we will see the full opening of retail shops - of course, according to the current [Health Ministry] requirements."Meridor said measures approved by the government on Sunday morning will enable more than two million people to open their businesses fully, as long as they meet the "purple seal" criteria. Whoever can work from home, should still work from home, he said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-19--21 of Taiwan's 22 new coronavirus cases are navy soldiers

Taiwan reported 22 new coronavirus cases on Sunday , almost all of them sailors who had been on a friendly @ @ @ @ @ to the small Pacific island state of Palau last month .
Taiwan has to date @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus due to early prevention and detection , and last week celebrated three days @ @ @ @ @ were reported .
But on Saturday Taiwan said that three cadets who had been part @ @ @ @ @ , one of only 15 countries to maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan , had @ @ @ @ @ 700 sailors were being quarantined and tested .
The 21 sailors whose positive tests the @ @ @ @ @ the total cases in the navy to 24 .

Taiwan reported 22 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, almost all of them sailors who had been on a friendly visit of Taiwanese navy ships to the small Pacific island state of Palau last month.
Taiwan has to date been relatively successful at controlling the coronavirus due to early prevention and detection, and last week celebrated three days in which no new cases were reported.
But on Saturday Taiwan said that three cadets who had been part of the mission to Palau, one of only 15 countries to maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, had been infected, and that 700 sailors were being quarantined and tested.
The 21 sailors whose positive tests the government announced on Sunday bring the total cases in the navy to 24.


jerusalempost--2020-04-19--Singapore reports 596 new coronavirus cases, taking total to 6,588

The vast majority of the new cases are migrant workers living in dormitories and 25 are permanent residents , the @ @ @ @ @ statement on Sunday .

The vast majority of the new cases are migrant workers living in dormitories and 25 are permanent residents, the health ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
Singapore's health ministry confirmed 596 new coronavirus infections on Sunday, taking the total number of cases in the city-state to 6,588.


jerusalempost--2020-04-19--Release for new guidelines on Western Wall prayers expected tomorrow

After the government announced an ease on coronavirus regulations Sunday morning , it 's expected that new guidelines with regard @ @ @ @ @ Wall will be released on Monday .
Until then , prayers at the Western Wall @ @ @ @ @ done until now , with the same minimum minyan ( quorum ) as was before @

After the government announced an ease on coronavirus regulations Sunday morning, it's expected that new guidelines with regard to praying at the Western Wall will be released on Monday.
Until then, prayers at the Western Wall will continue as they have done until now, with the same minimum minyan (quorum) as was before.


jerusalempost--2020-04-19--Germany's coronavirus cases rise to 139,897

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases have risen by 2,458 to 139,897, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Sunday.That was lower than a 3,609 increase reported on Saturday, by when cases of infections had been increasing for four days in a row.The reported death toll has risen by 184 to 4,294, the Sunday tally showed.That was down from a day-on-day increase shown on Saturday of 242, and 299 on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-19--Thailand reports 32 new coronavirus cases, no new deaths

Thailand on Sunday reported 32 new coronavirus cases, bringing its total to 2,765, a senior official said.Of the new cases, 28 were in the capital, Bangkok, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for the government's Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration.No new fatalities were reported. Thailand has had 47 deaths from the coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-04-19--US condemns arrests of Hong Kong democracy activists

The Trump administration on Saturday condemned Hong Kong's arrests of 15 activists, including veteran politicians, a publishing tycoon and senior barristers, describing them as "inconsistent" with China's international commitments.The raids mark the biggest crackdown on the pro-democracy movement since the beginning of anti-government protests across the former British colony in June last year."The United States condemns the arrest of pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said."Beijing and its representatives in Hong Kong continue to take actions inconsistent with commitments made under the Sino-British Joint Declaration that include transparency, the rule of law, and guarantees that Hong Kong will continue to 'enjoy a high degree of autonomy'," Pompeo said.US President Donald Trump last November signed into law legislation backing protesters in Hong Kong despite angry objections from Beijing.The legislation requires the State Department to certify, at least annually, that Hong Kong retains enough autonomy to justify favorable US trading terms that have helped it maintain its position as a world financial center. The law also threatens sanctions for human rights violations.In a separate statement, US Attorney General William Barr called the arrests "the latest assault on the rule of law and the liberty of the people of Hong Kong.""These events show how antithetical the values of the Chinese Communist Party are to those we share in Western liberal democracies," he added, saying the arrests and other actions "demonstrate once again that the Chinese Communist Party cannot be trusted." Among those detained on charges of illegal assembly were Democratic Party founder Martin Lee, 81, publishing tycoon Jimmy Lai, 71, and former lawmaker and barrister Margaret Ng, 72, according to media and political sources.