jerusalempost--2020-03-05--Coronavirus infections jump to 82 in the Netherlands

The number of patients infected with the coronavirus in the Netherlands has more than doubled to 82 , the Dutch @ @ @ @ @ ( RIVM ) said on Thursday .
The number of corona cases in the Netherlands @ @ @ @ @ earlier .
The country 's first infection was reported on Feb. 27 .

The number of patients infected with the coronavirus in the Netherlands has more than doubled to 82, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) said on Thursday.
The number of corona cases in the Netherlands increased from 38 a day earlier. The country's first infection was reported on Feb. 27.


jerusalempost--2020-03-05--Hebrew University cancels trips abroad due to coronavirus

Students returning from the countries listed according to the Health Ministry 's guidelines will also be forced to enter quarantine @ @ @ @ @ to a statement released by the Hebrew University .

Students returning from the countries listed according to the Health Ministry's guidelines will also be forced to enter quarantine for 14 days, according to a statement released by the Hebrew University.
Staff at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem announced Thursday that it will cancel all organized academic trips abroad in light of growing concerns over the coronavirus, which will apply to all staff, administrators and students.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Greece says 14 new coronavirus cases reported, total now 45

By subscribing I accept the terms of use

Greece has confirmed 14 new cases of coronavirus infection , health authorities said on Friday, bringing the total in the country to 45.
Eleven of the patients, including a 66-year-old man who was in a serious condition, were among a group of 53 people who had recently returned from a pilgrimage to religious sites in Israel and Egypt, the official said.
Health ministry representative Sotiris Tsiodras told reporters that a ban on public gatherings would remain in force in three districts in the south-west of the country, and schools in the same area would remain shut until further notice.
Tsiodras said on Thursday that Greece expected a significant rise in new cases in the coming weeks.
The 66-year old patient was being treated in a hospital near the city of Patras. Some of the new cases were detected on the popular Ionian island of Zakynthos, also known as Zante.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Egypt registers 12 new coronavirus cases on Nile cruise ship

The country had until now diagnosed three people with the virus , one of whom it said had fully recovered @ @ @ @

Egypt's health ministry said it registered 12 people carrying the coronavirus on a Nile cruise ship heading to the southern city of Luxor from Aswan, state television reported on Friday.
The country had until now diagnosed three people with the virus, one of whom it said had fully recovered after receiving treatment.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Five wounded in suicide blast near US embassy in Tunis -local radio

At least one militant on a motorbike blew himself up outside the US embassy in Tunisia on Friday wounding five police, local media reported, in the country's most serious apparent attack since the summer.Embassy officials confirmed the attack in a tweet on its official Twitter feed, and urged people to avoid the area.A Reuters reporter saw a scorched, damaged motorbike and a damaged police vehicle a few meters from the embassy's main gate, as a helicopter whirled overhead and large numbers of police gathered.Radio Mosaique, a local radio station, reported that the attacker had injured five police officers when blowing himself up. The station also reported that there may have been a second perpetrator.Sirens could be heard on the major highway linking the Lac district, where the embassy is located, with Tunis and suburbs in the north.Last summer, Islamic State said it was behind three militant blasts in the capital, including one near the French embassy that killed a policeman and another that wounded five people during a security operation to detain a suspect.Tunisia's critical tourism sector is highly vulnerable to militant incidents and was devastated after two major attacks in 2015, which killed scores of visitors at a beach resort and a popular museum.Diplomats who have worked with Tunisia on its security capacity say it has grown more effective in preventing and responding to militant attacks in recent years.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Iran says coronavirus toll jumps by 17

Iran says coronavirus toll jumps by 17

Iran's death toll from coronavirus infections jumped on Friday to 124, as 17 died and more than 1,000 new cases were diagnosed over 24 hours, the health ministry said.
Continued high volumes of traffic between cities are contributing to spreading the disease, a ministry spokesman said in on state TV. Authorities might resort to coercive measures to restrict such movement, said, without elaborating.
Iranian authorities have made repeated calls to the population to avoid public places and stay at home, while schools, universities, cultural and sports centers have been temporarily closed across the country.
The number of infections rose to 4,747, he said. Iran had reported 3,513 on Thursday.
Most of the cases diagnosed in neighboring Gulf countries have been either people who traveled to Iran or who got infected by Iranians.
Saudi Arabia on Friday called on citizens to declare visits to Iran in the past 14 days, as part of measures to contain the outbreak, according to its civil aviation authority.
Members of the kingdom's Shi'ite minority tend to keep their visits to Iran secret. The two countries are bitter rivals.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Belgium says coronavirus cases more than doubled to 109

BRUSSELS - Belgium's health ministry said on Friday that cases of coronavirus in the country had more than doubled to 109.The ministry said 441 tests had been conducted on Thursday and most of the 59 new confirmed cases were of people who had travelled to Italy."While most patients had recently visited Italy we also confirm contamination in our country" the ministry said in a statement, adding the latter were mostly among family members or close contacts of people who had travelled to Italy.It said it expected the number of cases was likely to increase further.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Serbia reports first case of coronavirus - health minister

BELGRADE - Serbia has confirmed its first case of the coronavirus, its Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar said on Friday.He told reporters that a 43-year-old man, who traveled to Budapest, was diagnosed with virus and that he feels well.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Likud going to Supreme Court to demand recount of votes

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday of dangerous incitement against him.Gantz recalled the assassination of former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, when Netanyahu was the leader of the opposition. Netanyahu was accused of incitement ahead of that murder,"Bibi we saw what happened when the incitement was out of control and no one stopped it in 1995," Gantz wrote on Twitter. "If you think that your threats will stop us, you are making a bad mistake. You are only showing how important it is to replace you."Gantz warned that "if we don't wake up, the next political assassination is around the corner."Blue and White MK Moshe Ya'alon said it was wrong of Netanyahu to question the results of Monday's election and call upon the public to protest them."You are calling on millions to to go out to the streets and not accept the results of the election?" Ya'alon said. "This is mutiny!"Gantz and Ya'alon were responding to Netanyahu's announcement of an "emergency rally to stop the creation of a minority government" on Saturday night and the Likud announcing on Friday morning that it would petition the Supreme Court to force the Central Elections Committee to provide all of the protocols of the voting in Monday's election.The Likud complained that the Central Electons Committee was taking too long in providing the information. The members of the committee responded by condemning the Likud and saying that it already received 90% of the information it requested and would receive the rest on Saturday night."The representatives of all the parties on the committee, including Likud, reject any statement hinting at politics on the part of the committee's chairman, supreme court judge Neal Hendel," the committee said. "Judge Hendel and the leadership of the committee and its workers worked hard and honestly to ensure that the election would be democratic and fair. Anonymous lying hints, questioning the integrity of the head of the committee, are unacceptable and harm the public's trust."In Gantz's message on Twitter, he vowed to form a government that will serve all sectors of the population. In a sign that it could be a minority government backed by the Joint List, Gantz mentioned Israeli Arab citizens. Responding to the Likud's claims of victory, Gantz pointed out that Blue and White's vote count went up from the September to March elections , as it rose from the April election to the September one.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--First coronavirus death in the Netherlands - health authorities

AMSTERDAM - An 86-year-year old man infected with the coronavirus died in the Netherlands on Friday, the country's first known fatality from the epidemic, the National Health Institute said.He died in hospital in the port city of Rotterdam. The Netherlands reported its first coronavirus infection on Feb. 27. As of Thursday, there were 82 confirmed cases of COVID-19 there.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--New measures in Israeli prisons against coronavirus

The Israel Prison Service (IPS) has released a statement regarding the implementation of new measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus within prison facilities.Measures include that meetings between attorneys and prisoners will be held behind a screen; visits to prisoners will not be held; IPS staff members are not allowed to leave the country.Furthermore, the statement adds that two sections have been prepared for prisoners who would need to remain under quarantine.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Vatican reports first case of coronavirus in Vatican City

The Vatican said on Friday that a patient in its health services had tested positive for coronavirus.Spokesman Matteo Bruni said the discovery was made on Thursday and that outpatient services in Vatican clinics had been suspended to sanitize the areas. He said its emergency services will continue, adding that the Vatican had informed Italian health authorities.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Germany: 134 new coronavirus cases confirmed Friday morning

Germany on Friday reported 134 new confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, the Robert Koch Institute said.The number of cases rose to 534, up from 400 reported on Thursday evening. More than half of the cases, 281, are in the western region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Bhutan bans tourists after first coronavirus case, India total hits 31

NEW DELHI - Bhutan said on Friday it had banned the entry of tourists for two weeks after it confirmed its first case of the coronavirus, in a tourist who arrived from neighboring India.The tiny Himalayan kingdom, which is heavily reliant on high-end tourism for foreign exchange, said a 79-year-old American who entered by air from India on March 2 had tested positive for the virus."The government will impose two weeks restriction on all incoming tourists with immediate effect," the health ministry said in a statement."This is to enable rigorous monitoring, source assessment of infection and mitigate the situation."The government also announced the closure of several schools and the postponement of international conferences and seminars for two weeks.The ministry said the patient, who had entered India on Feb. 21, had been put in quarantine in hospital in the capital, Thimpu.India's total number of confirmed cases rose to 31, after a person from New Delhi with a history of travel from Thailand and Malaysia tested positive, its health ministry said.The coronavirus, which can cause respiratory illness that can lead to pneumonia, is believed to have emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.Globally, there have been more than 98,000 cases and more than 3,300 deaths, according to a Reuters tally. Most of the cases and deaths have been in China but the virus is now spreading in numerous countries.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Ceasefire in Syria's Idlib is being observed

The ceasefire in Syria's Idlib that was agreed by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin is being observed and the situation on the ground is calm, Russia's RIA news agency cited a military source as saying on Friday.Putin and Erdogan held lengthy talks in Moscow on Thursday and said they had agreed a ceasefire deal in the region to contain a conflict which has displaced nearly a million people in three months.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Saudi Arabia reopens Mecca, Medina holy sites after coronavirus closure

CAIRO - Saudi Arabia reopened two of the most holy religious sites in Islam , Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca and @ @ @ @ @ , after they were closed for sterilization to halt the spread of the new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
Saudi Arabia closed the sites to foreign pilgrims and traditional tourists from @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the virus .
It also said that citizens and residents of Gulf @ @ @ @ @ enter must wait 14 days after returning from outside the region .
Saudi Arabia has @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
It was not clear from the Al-Ekhbariya report if pilgrims would be allowed @ @ @ @ @ .

CAIRO - Saudi Arabia reopened two of the most holy religious sites in Islam, Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca and Al-Masjid al Nabawy in Medina, after they were closed for sterilization to halt the spread of the new coronavirus, state TV Al-Ekhbariya reported on Friday.
Saudi Arabia closed the sites to foreign pilgrims and traditional tourists from some 25 countries to stop the spread of the virus. It also said that citizens and residents of Gulf Cooperation Council countries wishing to enter must wait 14 days after returning from outside the region.
Saudi Arabia has reported five cases of the coronavirus.
It was not clear from the Al-Ekhbariya report if pilgrims would be allowed to return to the sites.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--South Korea confirms 196 new cases, total 6,284; deaths up to 42

TOKYO - South Korea confirmed a total of 6,284 coronavirus cases on Friday , up by 196 cases from late @ @ @ @ @ for Disease and Control and Prevention also said seven more deaths from the virus were @ @ @ @ @ to 42 .

TOKYO - South Korea confirmed a total of 6,284 coronavirus cases on Friday, up by 196 cases from late Thursday.
The Korea Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention also said seven more deaths from the virus were reported, bringing the total to 42.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--Trump says lawmaker Meadows to become White House chief of staff

President Donald Trump said on Friday that Republican US Representative Mark Meadows will become White House chief of staff .
@ @ @ @ @ , who will in turn become US special envoy to Northern Ireland , Trump said @

President Donald Trump said on Friday that Republican US Representative Mark Meadows will become White House chief of staff.
Meadows will replace Mick Mulvaney, who will in turn become US special envoy to Northern Ireland, Trump said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--Two AIPAC conference attendees test positive for coronavirus

In an official statement released on Friday , AIPAC confirmed that at least two attendees from New York tested positive @ @ @ @ @ took part at the recent Washington conference were urged to follow the CDC guidelines and @ @ @ @ @

The Health Ministry is considering adding the American states of Washington, New York and California to the list of places requiring their visitors now in Israel to do 14 days of home-quarantine.
In an interview with Channel 12, Health Ministry director-general Moshe Bar Siman Tov said the ministry was making decisions regarding the United States not as one country but on a state-by-state basis.
As such, he said that as of Saturday night, the only states from which travelers might require quarantine are Washington, New York and California. Other states could be added to the list in the future.
But on Sunday morning, it appeared that a decision was made - despite no official notice from the Health Ministry. Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin said that Israel is reconsidering putting all travelers who come to Israel from the United States into quarantine. He told Army Radio that, "such a decision has internal significance in the US . It's important to work on this issue in collaboration with the Americans." He told Channel 12 that a final decision would be made late by early Sunday.But on Sunday morning, it appeared that a decision was made - despite no official notice from the Health Ministry.
פרסום ראשון: ישראל הקפיאה את הנחיות הבידוד לשבים מחלק ממדינות ארה"ב. שר התיירות יריב לוין ב-#נכוןלהבוקר: "לקבלת החלטה כזו יש משמעותיות פנימיות בארה"ב. חשוב לפעול בנושא הזה בשיתוף פעולה עם האמריקנים"(צילום: הלל מאייר, פלאש90) @IshayShnerb @ilils1 pic.twitter.com/GJ56yxR3Us — גלצ (@GLZRadio) March 8, 2020
Other Western nations – including Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands – are also being considered for quarantine. The ministry is waiting to receive news about the coronavirus situation in all of these countries before making a decision, which Bar Siman Tov said would be done in close cooperation with the National Security Council.
At the same time, all Israelis who attended the AIPAC Policy Conference last week in Washington and returned to the country after March 5 must immediately enter home-quarantine, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry told The Jerusalem Post on Saturday.
Overnight, "The additional positive case is a resident who recently returned from attending the AIPAC Conference in Washington, D.C. where there was a known exposure to a person who was positive for COVID-19, officials from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said," NBC reported. The decision came after at least two New Yorkers who attended conference, held February 28 to March 2, tested positive for the coronavirus, the pro-Israel lobby confirmed on Friday.Overnight, NBC Los Angeles reported that a third AIPAC attendee was diagnosed with COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in LA County to 14.
A spokesperson for AIPAC said he did not know how many Israelis took part in the 18,000-person conference, which was attended by a few world leaders, dozens of members of Congress and high-profile administration officials. Vice President Mike Pence was the keynote speaker.
According to the AIPAC website, prominent Israeli participants included former ambassadors to the United States Danny Ayalon and Itamar Rabinovich and head of the opposition in the Jerusalem Municipality Ofer Berkovitch.
In contrast to the Health Ministry, the capital’s Department of Health issued a statement Friday saying that, based on its investigation in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDH), “There is no identified risk to conference attendees at this time. All attendees and members of the public are urged to follow the well-established prevention tips, like staying home if sick and calling ahead to a health provider if experiencing symptoms. We will work with AIPAC leadership to keep all attendees informed of any new developments.”
AIPAC also released a statement on Friday, saying the organization is in constant communication with the Westchester County Health Department and the DC Health Department, which is coordinating with the New York Health Department as well as with national health authorities.
“We have consulted with a top infectious disease specialist, Dr. Edward Septimus – adjunct professor of Internal Medicine at Texas A&M College of Medicine,” AIPAC said in a statement.
The pro-Israel organization called on all conference participants to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and consult with their health care providers if they feel ill or have medical questions. “If you test positive for coronavirus, we urge you to inform your local health authorities, so they can properly coordinate their response to this situation with the appropriate health authorities,” AIPAC added.
Pence, who is the Trump administration point man in charge of coronavirus response, was asked during a press conference on Friday about the fact that two attendees tested positive for the virus, and whether he is concerned the virus is now in Washington.
But the vice president did note that thousands of Americans are currently in isolation and cautioned those who are elderly or suffer from health conditions such as heart disease or respiratory issues should “use common sense” and refrain from taking part in activities or outings that could put them at risk. “It’s the first I heard of it amidst a busy day – and we will be engaged, I am confident, with the same contact tracing like with any case,” Pence said.But the vice president did note that thousands of Americans are currently in isolation and cautioned those who are elderly or suffer from health conditions such as heart disease or respiratory issues should “use common sense” and refrain from taking part in activities or outings that could put them at risk.
This is the second instance of coronavirus being reported in the Washington area. Nearby Maryland declared a state of emergency last week after three patients tested positive for coronavirus in Montgomery County, which borders the district. At the same time, the virus surfaced in at least four more states over the weekend and the number of cases in San Francisco continues to increase.
Among the 2,400 passengers stranded off the California coast on a cruise ship, there are at least 21 infected people, Reuters reported.
As of Saturday night, New York was reporting 76 cases of coronavirus, many of them in the close-knit Modern Orthodox Jewish community of Westchester County north of Manhattan. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has declared a state of emergency to deal with the worsening coronavirus crisis.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--US creates new envoy position for Sahel, as militant groups expand

The United States has created a special envoy position to counter rising violence in Africa 's Sahel region , a @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
Peter Pham , started his new role earlier this week as envoy to @ @ @ @ @ said .
Groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State are expanding their foothold in @ @ @ @ @

The United States has created a special envoy position to counter rising violence in Africa's Sahel region, a State Department spokesman said on Friday.
Peter Pham, started his new role earlier this week as envoy to the Sahel, the spokesman said. Groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State are expanding their foothold in the northern Africa region.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Islamic State attacks Kabul gathering, killing at least 32

Islamic State gunmen opened fire at a ceremony in Kabul on Friday , killing at least 32 people in the @ @ @ @ @ city since the United States reached an agreement with the Afghan Taliban on a phased @ @ @ @ @ A top Afghan political leader , Abdullah Abdullah , was present along with other key @ @ @ @ @ .
Some 81 people were wounded , a government spokesman said , adding that the @ @ @ @ @

Islamic State gunmen opened fire at a ceremony in Kabul on Friday, killing at least 32 people in the first major attack in the city since the United States reached an agreement with the Afghan Taliban on a phased withdrawal of US troops.
A top Afghan political leader, Abdullah Abdullah, was present along with other key political figures and escaped unharmed.
Some 81 people were wounded, a government spokesman said, adding that the death toll could rise.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Second coronavirus death confirmed in England

A second patient in England who tested positive for coronavirus has died , England 's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty @ @ @ @ @ patient was being treated at Milton Keynes University Hospital and had underlying health conditions , @ @ @ @ @ .

A second patient in England who tested positive for coronavirus has died, England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty confirmed on Friday.
The patient was being treated at Milton Keynes University Hospital and had underlying health conditions, Whitty said in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Health Ministry releases full details on tourist with coronavirus

The Health Ministry released on Friday evening the details concerning a vacation a French national reported to have coronavirus took @ @ @ @ @ most of his time with relatives and is currently already back in France , having @ @ @ @ @ The man arrived in the country on Sunday and spend one day in it .
@ @ @ @ @ on Transavia flight number 3930 and took the one twenty p.n .
train from the @ @ @ @ @ station in Jerusalem.He attended a family event that evening from eight p.m. to eleven p.m. @ @ @ @ @ street in Jerusalem.The next day he was at Hillel coffee shop at Beit HaKerem from @ @ @ @ @ and at half past noon he took the train from the central bus station to @ @ @ @ @ France on Transavia flight 3933 at one p.m .

The Health Ministry released on Friday evening the details concerning a vacation a French national reported to have coronavirus took while in Israel.The man spent most of his time with relatives and is currently already back in France, having flown there on Monday.
The man arrived in the country on Sunday and spend one day in it.He arrived at one p.m. on Transavia flight number 3930 and took the one twenty p.n. train from the airport to the central bus station in Jerusalem.He attended a family event that evening from eight p.m. to eleven p.m. at Ramban synagogue on Amatzia street in Jerusalem.The next day he was at Hillel coffee shop at Beit HaKerem from ten thirty a.m. to noon and at half past noon he took the train from the central bus station to the airport and returned to France on Transavia flight 3933 at one p.m.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Costa Rica confirms first coronavirus case in Central America

Costa Rica 's government on Friday said it confirmed its first case of coronavirus , in a 49-year-old woman from @ @ @ @ @ in the Central American nation with her husband .
The instance marks the first confirmed @ @ @ @ @ in Central America .

Costa Rica's government on Friday said it confirmed its first case of coronavirus, in a 49-year-old woman from the United States who is in the Central American nation with her husband.
The instance marks the first confirmed infection of the fast-spreading coronavirus in Central America.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--UAE discovers 15 new coronavirus cases

UAE discovers 15 new coronavirus cases

United Arab Emirates discovered late on Friday 15 new coronavirus cases , the health ministry announced in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ number of cases in UAE now stands at 45 cases , and two more cases @ @ @ @ @ the total number of cured people to seven .

United Arab Emirates discovered late on Friday 15 new coronavirus cases, the health ministry announced in a statement.
The statement added the total number of cases in UAE now stands at 45 cases, and two more cases have been cured which brings the total number of cured people to seven.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Washington state announces new coronavirus death, 15th in US

EvergreenHealth Medical Center in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland said the state had confirmed the case .
Kirkland is the @ @ @ @ @ a nursing facility where at least six people have died of COVID-19 .

A hospital in Washington state said on Friday that a 12th person had died there from coronavirus, bringing to 15 the total deaths from the respiratory illness in the United States.
EvergreenHealth Medical Center in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland said the state had confirmed the case. Kirkland is the site of an outbreak at a nursing facility where at least six people have died of COVID-19.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Colombia has confirmed first case of coronavirus

The virus broke out in Wuhan , China , late last year and has since infected nearly 100,000 people worldwide @

Colombia confirmed its first case of coronavirus on Friday, joining other South American countries which have reported cases of the fast-spreading disease.
The virus broke out in Wuhan, China, late last year and has since infected nearly 100,000 people worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization, the disease has been reported in some 90 countries, leading to about 3,400 deaths.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--West Bank and Gaza border crossings due to close on Purim

Border crossings between Israel and the West Bank and the Gaza Strip will be closed for Purim due in accordance with security assessments, according to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit."In accordance with security assessments and state guidance, a general close of the border crossings in the West Bank and Gaza areas will be closed," the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.Although the crossings will be closed between early Sunday morning March 8 and Wednesday night March 11, humanitarian and medical supplies, as well as those in emergency situations will still be allowed to pass. Additionally, the Kerem Shalom crossing will only be closed on March 10.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Iraq death toll by coronavirus rises to three

Iraq reported a death by coronavirus in the city of Karbala, bringing total death count by coronavirus to three in the country, state news agency reported on Friday.Earlier on Friday, Iraq banned entry to travelers coming from France and Spain, bringing the total number of countries on its entry ban list to 11.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Apple asks Silicon Valley employees to work from home as virus spreads

Officials in Santa Clara County , where Apple 's 12,000-person Apple Park campus is located , had earlier asked large @ @ @ @ @ to telecommute and find other ways of limiting close contact .
There were 20 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ the county as of March 5 , health officials said .
Apple is also asking @ @ @ @ @ to work from home .
In California , its Santa Clara County retail stores remain @ @ @ @ @ .
Apple last month said the spread of the virus in China would cause it @ @ @ @ @ the quarter ending in March and cause iPhone shortages .

Apple Inc on Friday asked employees at its Silicon Valley headquarters to work from home if possible as a "precaution," a spokesman confirmed to Reuters.
Officials in Santa Clara County, where Apple's 12,000-person Apple Park campus is located, had earlier asked large companies to consider asking employees to telecommute and find other ways of limiting close contact. There were 20 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the county as of March 5, health officials said.
Apple is also asking employees in the Seattle area to work from home. In California, its Santa Clara County retail stores remain open, a spokesman said.
Apple last month said the spread of the virus in China would cause it to miss revenue targets for the quarter ending in March and cause iPhone shortages.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--UN cancels key meetings ahead of climate summit due to coronavirus

WASHINGTON - The United Nations has canceled meetings in Bonn, Germany, and elsewhere planned in the run-up to a crucial UN climate summit to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, in November due to the coronavirus outbreak, an official said on Friday."This exceptional measure aims to contain the spread of COVID-19 and safeguard the health and safety of participants attending UNFCCC meetings in Bonn and elsewhere," said Patricia Espinosa, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.The UNFCCC secretariat will not hold any physical meetings in Bonn or elsewhere between March 6 and the end of April, she said in a statement.The Glasgow summit in November is expected to be the most important round of climate negotiations since the 2015 Paris agreement was reached.Concerns over the spread of coronavirus has led to the cancellation of dozens of major global events. Earlier this week, organizers canceled the CERAWeek energy conference, one of the biggest global gatherings of oil ministers and top executives in Houston.Jennifer Tollmann, a policy adviser with international climate change think tank E3G, said the upcoming meeting that had been due to take place in Bonn in March was a highly technical preparatory session, which should be easier to conduct via videoconference than a much larger meeting due to take place in Bonn in June."If they cancel the June meetings, though, that would be a bigger (but not huge) issue for COP26 and the UK," Tollmann said, referring to the acronym for the climate summit and its host.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--France says it now has 613 confirmed cases of coronavirus

PARIS - France has 613 confirmed cases of coronavirus, the head of the public health service, Jerome Salomon, said on Friday, which is an increase of 190 compared to a day earlier.During a press briefing, he added the death toll from the disease was still at nine and that 39 persons were in intensive care.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Number of coronavirus cases in the West Bank rises to 16

The number of coronavirus cases reached 16 in Bethlehem, as nine new people staying at a hotel were confirmed to have the virus on Friday, according to Maariv.The West Bank's Health Minister Dr. May al-Kiliah said that 120 people are quarantined within their homes. Additionally, three are quarantined in an academy in Jericho, and five are quarantined at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--IDF confirms failed rocket launch attempt in Gaza

The IDF reported that it detected a failed attempt to launch a projectile in Gaza.“A short while ago a failed launch was detected in the Gaza Strip, which fell within the Gaza,” the IDF wrote in a statement. “As a result of the launch, an alarm was sounded only where necessary.”


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Iraq places France and Spain on coronavirus entry ban list

Iraq banned travelers coming from France and Spain from entering the country, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday, bringing the total number of countries on its entry ban list to 11 as it tries to stem the spread of coronavirus.The ban does not extend to Iraqi citizens and foreign diplomats, a ministry spokesman said in a statement. Iraq has so far recorded 38 cases of coronavirus and two deaths.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Coronavirus cases in New York increases to 33

The number of people in New York state who have tested positive for the coronavirus has increased by 11 to 33, governor Andrew Cuomo said on Friday.The increase in cases reflects expanding testing across the state, Cuomo said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Italian coronavirus deaths jump to 197, cases climb to 4,636

The accumulative number of cases in the country , which has been hardest hit by the virus in Europe , @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
The head of the agency said that of those originally infected , 523 @ @ @ @ @ the day before .

The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has risen by 49 to 197, the Civil Protection Agency said on Friday, the largest daily increase in fatalities since the contagion was uncovered two weeks ago.
The accumulative number of cases in the country, which has been hardest hit by the virus in Europe, totaled 4,636 against 3,858 on Thursday.
The head of the agency said that of those originally infected, 523 had fully recovered versus 414 the day before.
The contagion is focused on a handful of hotspots in the north of Italy, but cases have now been confirmed in each of the country's 20 regions, with deaths recorded in eight of them.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--CDC reports 213 coronavirus cases, including those under investigation

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) on Friday reported 65 more cases of coronavirus in the country, which includes cases reported by individual states that were yet to be confirmed by the agency.As of 4:00 p.m. on March 5, the number of confirmed and presumptive positive cases stood at 213, the agency said.Cases detected among former passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship remains at 46, while 3 cases were detected in citizens repatriated from Wuhan, China, the CDC said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Facebook closes London offices after employee diagnosed with coronavirus

Facebook says it is closing its London offices until Monday after an employee based in Singapore who has been diagnosed @ @ @ @ @ offices on 24-26 February .

Facebook says it is closing its London offices until Monday after an employee based in Singapore who has been diagnosed with Covid-19 visited the London offices on 24-26 February.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Chinese province reports 17 new coronavirus infections imported from Iran

The 17 new patients were among quarantined passengers who entered the provincial capital of Lanzhou on commercial flights from Iran @ @ @ @ @ 5 , the Gansu Health Commission said in a statement on its website .
Before @ @ @ @ @ had reported 11 imported infections from Iran .
A total of 283 passengers arriving from @ @ @ @ @ , it said .

The northwestern Chinese province of Gansu has confirmed 17 new coronavirus cases imported from Iran, bringing the total imported cases to 28, the province's health authorities said late on Friday.
The 17 new patients were among quarantined passengers who entered the provincial capital of Lanzhou on commercial flights from Iran between March 2 and March 5, the Gansu Health Commission said in a statement on its website.
Before the new cases, Gansu had reported 11 imported infections from Iran. A total of 283 passengers arriving from Iran are currently under quarantine, it said.
Last month, Gansu became the first province to lower its emergency response measures from level I to level III, reflecting the lack of new infections.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Islamic State claims responsibility for Kabul attack that killed 27

By subscribing I accept the terms of use

CAIRO - Islamic state claimed responsibility for an attack in the Afghan capital Kabul that killed at least 27 people, the group's Amaq news agency reported on Friday on its telegram channel.The group claimed they killed and injured 150 people, without providing evidence. The Afghan health ministry said at least 27 were killed and 55 injured.It was the first major attack on the Afghan capital since the United States reached an agreement with the Taliban to withdraw US troops.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Bus driver with coronavirus put on respirator

An Israeli bus driver who was diagnosed with coronavirus has been put on a respirator, according to a joint statement by the Baruch Padeh Medical Center and the Health Ministry.“In the last few hours, despite intensive treatment, the patient's condition worsened and he required artificial respiration,” they wrote in a joint statement, adding that they are following COVID19 protocols.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Two more Israelis diagnosed with coronavirus

Two more Israelis have been diagnosed with coronavirus, known as patient No. 18 and 19.The Israelis are in their 50s and recently returned from abroad. No. 18 returned from Madrid, Spain on February 27. No. 19 returned from Zurich on March 4.Epidemiological investigations by the Health Ministry are underway and due to be released soon.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Polish police limit some drink-driving tests due to coronavirus

Poland reported its first case of the flu-like virus this week , among more than 85 countries to be hit by the outbreak since it emerged in China late last year , with more than 100,000 cases and 3,300 deaths so far .
Authorities worldwide are scrambling to stop the spread of the coronavirus , with people in some countries being asked to stay home from work , schools closing and large gatherings and events being canceled .
Radoslaw Kobrys , deputy inspector at the Polish police 's road traffic division , said it had received information from the Interior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limit the number of breath tests carried out using devices without mouthpieces . ''
Poland uses two devices for breathalyzing drivers .
One of them , without a mouthpiece , gives an instant indication of the presence of alcohol but can be used on many drivers in quick succession , raising the risk of the virus spreading easily .
The second device , which gives a precise reading of the amount of alcohol in the breath , has mouthpieces that are changed for every test but takes longer to produce readings .
Kobrys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scale testing of drivers in the morning and evening rush hours , but would not seriously affect road safety .
`` Taking into account that every year we carry out almost 17 million tests , even if there is a minimal ... decrease in the number of people tested this does not have a diametrical effect on what happens on Polish roads , '' he said .

Polish police striving to improve one of Europe's worst road fatality rates are having to cut back on testing drivers' breath for alcohol for fear this could speed the transmission of coronavirus.
Poland reported its first case of the flu-like virus this week, among more than 85 countries to be hit by the outbreak since it emerged in China late last year, with more than 100,000 cases and 3,300 deaths so far.
Authorities worldwide are scrambling to stop the spread of the coronavirus, with people in some countries being asked to stay home from work, schools closing and large gatherings and events being canceled.
Radoslaw Kobrys, deputy inspector at the Polish police's road traffic division, said it had received information from the Interior Ministry's sanitary service suggesting "we limit the number of breath tests carried out using devices without mouthpieces."
Poland uses two devices for breathalyzing drivers. One of them, without a mouthpiece, gives an instant indication of the presence of alcohol but can be used on many drivers in quick succession, raising the risk of the virus spreading easily.
The second device, which gives a precise reading of the amount of alcohol in the breath, has mouthpieces that are changed for every test but takes longer to produce readings.
Kobrys said the changes would curb mainly large scale testing of drivers in the morning and evening rush hours, but would not seriously affect road safety.
"Taking into account that every year we carry out almost 17 million tests, even if there is a minimal...decrease in the number of people tested this does not have a diametrical effect on what happens on Polish roads," he said.
"If a police officer suspects that someone is under the influence of alcohol, he will test them.While road fatalities fell by 26% in Poland between 2010 and 2018, the country still has one of the highest rates in Europe, and police say that in 2019 there were over 1,600 accidents caused by drink driving.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Togo confirms first case of coronavirus

Togo confirms first case of coronavirus

The patient is a 42-year old female resident of the capital Lome who had visited Benin , Germany , France @ @ @ @ @ and early March .
She is being treated in isolation and her condition is stable @ @ @ @ @ a statement .

The West African country of Togo has registered its first case of coronavirus, its government said on Friday.
The patient is a 42-year old female resident of the capital Lome who had visited Benin, Germany, France and Turkey in late February and early March. She is being treated in isolation and her condition is stable, the government said in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Total UK coronavirus cases reach 163

Total UK coronavirus cases reach 163

The number of people who have died from the virus stands at one , the health ministry and the Public @ @ @ @ @ agency said .

A total of 163 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the United Kingdom, rising from 115, medical authorities said on Friday.
The number of people who have died from the virus stands at one, the health ministry and the Public Health England (PHE) agency said.
Some British media reported earlier on Friday that there had been a second fatality.


jerusalempost--2020-03-06--Number of coronavirus infections tops 100,000 globally

The number of people infected by the new coronavirus globally surpassed 100,000 on Friday, according to a Reuters tally based on statements from health ministries and government officials.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--First Cambodian tests positive for coronavirus

The 38-year-old man was one of four people tested because he had direct contact with a Japanese visitor who later @ @ @ @ @ , Health Ministry spokesman Or Vandin told a news conference .
The Japanese man had @ @ @ @ @ , close to the ancient Angkor Wat temple , one of the region 's top @ @ @ @ @ earlier reported a virus infection in a Chinese man .
He recovered and went home @

The 38-year-old man was one of four people tested because he had direct contact with a Japanese visitor who later tested positive for the virus, Health Ministry spokesman Or Vandin told a news conference.
The Japanese man had left Cambodia from Siem Reap, close to the ancient Angkor Wat temple, one of the region's top tourist attractions.
Cambodia had earlier reported a virus infection in a Chinese man. He recovered and went home.
PHNOM PENH - The first Cambodian has tested positive for the new coronavirus, the Health Ministry said on Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--Coronavirus deaths rise to 145 in Iran, infections up by more than 1,000

The number of people testing positive for the virus increased by more than 1,000 over the past 24 hours , @ @ @ @ @ he said in a televised briefing .

The number of people testing positive for the virus increased by more than 1,000 over the past 24 hours, reaching 5,823 on Saturday, he said in a televised briefing.
DUBAI - The number of deaths caused by coronavirus infections in Iran rose by 21 over the past 24 hours to reach 145 on Saturday, a health ministry official said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--Italian girl becomes Malta's first coronavirus case

The girl tested positive for the illness early on Saturday and is receiving treatment in the infectious diseases unit of @ @ @ @ @ minister said , adding she `` is doing well . ''
She returned late last @ @ @ @ @ region of Trentino , passing through the capital Rome , with her parents and sister @ @ @ @ @ .

The girl tested positive for the illness early on Saturday and is receiving treatment in the infectious diseases unit of the state hospital, the minister said, adding she "is doing well."
She returned late last month from the northern Italian region of Trentino, passing through the capital Rome, with her parents and sister and reported symptoms on Friday.
VALLETTA - Malta's first case of coronavirus has been detected in a 12-year-old Italian girl who lives on the island, Health Minister Chris Fearne said on Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--Number of coronavirus patients in Germany jumps to 684

The cases are concentrated in the west and south of the country , with 346 in the state of North @ @ @ @ @ each in the southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg , where the country 's initial @ @ @ @

The cases are concentrated in the west and south of the country, with 346 in the state of North Rhine Westphalia and over 100 each in the southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg, where the country's initial cases were registered.
BERLIN - The number of coronavirus patients in Germany stood at 684 on Saturday morning, the country's public health agency, the Robet Koch Institute, said, an increase of 45 over Friday evening.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--Philippines to declare public health emergency to combat coronavirus

Earlier in the day , the nation 's health officials said the new coronavirus recorded its first case of local @ @ @ @ @ measures to contain its spread .
Duterte has agreed to declare a health emergency following @ @ @ @ @ Go , chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and a close aide of the @ @ @ @ @

Earlier in the day, the nation's health officials said the new coronavirus recorded its first case of local transmission, and called for measures to contain its spread.
Duterte has agreed to declare a health emergency following the latest development, Bong Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and a close aide of the president, told reporters.
MANILA - Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte plans to declare a nationwide public health emergency following confirmation of the country's first community transmission of the disease, the presidential aide said on Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--Zemer council member shot while exiting a mosque

A Zemer council member, who is in his 40s, was shot while exiting a mosque, according to Ynet. He is reportedly in moderately serious condition and was taken to the hospital by Magen David Adom at the scene.Police have started investigating the incident, Ynet reported.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--South Korea confirms 174 new coronavirus cases, total to 6,767

South Korea on Saturday reported 174 additional coronavirus cases from late Friday , taking the national tally to 6,767 , @ @ @ @ @ and Control and Prevention ( KCDC ) said .
The death toll remained unchanged at @ @ @ @ @ the KCDC added .

South Korea on Saturday reported 174 additional coronavirus cases from late Friday, taking the national tally to 6,767, the Korea Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (KCDC) said.
The death toll remained unchanged at 44 from late Friday, the KCDC added.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--South Korea reports 93 new coronavirus cases, for total of 7,134

SEOUL - S.Korea on Sunday reported 93 new coronavirus cases from late Saturday, for a total of 7,134 in the country, Yonhap news agency reported, citing health officials.The increase in cases was lower than the same period a day before, though health officials have warned that numbers could fluctuate as more tests are processed.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--Argentina confirms first coronavirus death in Latin America

A patient diagnosed with coronavirus died in Argentina on Saturday, the Health Ministry said in a statement, marking the first death related to the virus in Latin America.Fellow South American countries Paraguay, Colombia, Chile and Peru announced their first confirmed cases of coronavirus in recent days, and a number of cases have been confirmed in neighboring Brazil.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--Marine is third confirmed US military service member with coronavirus

A US Marine in the Washington D.C.-area who recently returned from travel overseas has tested positive for the coronavirus, the Pentagon said on Saturday, in what would be the third confirmed case of a US servicemember contracting the virus.The other two US troops are in Italy and South Korea."A US Marine assigned to Fort Belvoir, VA, tested positive today for COVID-19 and is currently being treated at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital," Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement posted on Twitter."The Marine recently returned from overseas where he was on official business. (Defense Secretary Mark) Esper and the White House have been briefed."


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--Mainland China reports 44 new coronavirus cases, 27 deaths

SHANGHAI/BEIJING - Health authorities in mainland China on Sunday reported 44 new confirmed cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus by the end of March 7, a decrease from 99 the day prior.That brings the total number of confirmed cases in China to 80,695 by the end of March 7. Authorities reported 27 new deaths on March 7, down from 28 deaths on March 6.All the new deaths occurred in Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak. The total number of deaths hit 3,097.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--Kansas confirms first coronavirus case in the state

The US state of Kansas confirmed its first coronavirus case, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced on Saturday, KHSB reported.The patient is a 50-year-old woman from Johnson County and is currently in home-isolation.The Kansas Health Department has two suspected cases under observation since Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--Third coronavirus-related death in Australia after Sydney man dies

SYDNEY - A man in his 80s died in a Sydney hospital after testing positive to COVID-19, becoming the third coronavirus-related casualty in Australia, state health authorities said on Sunday.The total number of coronavirus cases has topped 70 in Australia with state and federal health authorities fretting over the risk of more widespread community transmission.The outbreak has killed more than 3,400 people worldwide, spreading across more than 90 nations outside China.New South Wales Health said in a statement, it was "continuing to find and respond to cases as they are diagnosed to slow any spread of COVID-19 in the community."Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt will hold a press conference later in the day to announce the government has secured an additional 54 million face masks to help protect medical workers.On Saturday, the government released an extra 260,000 surgical masks from federal stockpile to primary health networks.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--Washington, DC, has first 'presumptive positive' test for coronavirus

A person in Washington, D.C., has had a "presumptive positive test" for the coronavirus, Mayor Muriel Bowser said on Twitter on Saturday.
In a news conference later on Saturday, Bowser said the affected person is a male in their fifties who is a resident of the District. The man began exhibiting conditions in late February although he appears to have no record of international travel or close contact with persons known to have the virus, said Bowser. The man remains hospitalized.
"With his test yielding a presumptive positive DC health has begun investigating in keeping with the CDC's guidelines," Bowser said.
The D.C. government is also aware of another unnamed person who recently visited D.C. and was diagnosed with the virus at a Maryland hospital. That case is also being investigated by health professionals to understand the person's exposure to other residents.
"Our message to D.C. residents continues to be help us prevent the spread of germs and stay informed," said Bowser.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--Los Angeles resident who returned from AIPAC diagnosed with coronavirus

A Los Angeles resident who recently returned from the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington is confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus, NBC Los Angeles reported.The Los Angeles County Health Department is identifying anyone who may have been in close contact with the patient, adding that all confirmed cases are in isolation.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--Bahrain asks people arriving from four countries to self-quarantine

Cairo - Bahrain has called on people who have traveled to Lebanon, Egypt, Italy or South Korea to self-quarantine for two weeks from the day of their arrival, the Health Ministry said in a tweet on Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--Earthquake of magnitude 6.2 strikes Madeira Islands in Portugal

An earthquake of magnitude 6.2 struck the Madeira Islands, an autonomous region of Portugal, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said on Saturday.The quake had a depth of 5 kilometres (3.11 miles), according https://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/earthquake.php?id=836528 to EMSC.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--Israel announces 24th, 25th coronavirus patients

Twenty-five Israelis have been diagnosed with coronavirus as of press time on Saturday, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared coronavirus the worst pandemic in 100 years.Patients 17 through 25 were found to have the virus over the weekend and are in quarantine. The Health Ministry reported they are in stable condition.Netanyahu said Israel is “acting on both the national and international levels” and that in the past 48 hours he had spoken with world leaders and initiated a conference call with other countries that will be held next week to see how world leaders can help each other.He rolled out a five-part plan for attacking coronavirus in Israel.First, all public installations will undergo disinfection, the prime minister said.“This virus is sensitive to bleach and we must act in an orderly way to disinfect railway stations, bus stations, etc.,” he said. “To this end, over the vacation period, which may be extended, I will mobilize young people, both in schools and in youth movements, in a very meticulous way, to help with the disinfection. I will also ask the IDF to take care of certain installations.”Next, he said the Air Force may be enlisted to ensure Israel has all essential supplies. Third, he said, he is working on opening a line of credit in order to provide a response for businesses and companies that will feel the pressure.“Fourth, we will mobilize the best minds in Israel in order to develop a broad test in order to ensure an industrial testing ability that will separate between ill and healthy people,” Netanyahu explained. “We will continue to watch over the Israeli economy. Without this, things would bring about a two-fold – economic and industrial – collapse. It is within our ability to change this.”And finally, the prime minister said that Israel will use its ties with leaders in certain countries: “We will help them and they will help us,” he said. “With God’s help, we will overcome the crisis together.”Patient number 25 is from central Israel. He returned from Spain on March 2. Patient 24, from the center of the country, flew to Greece on February 27 with a group of pilgrims, 21 of whom have since been diagnosed with the virus. He returned to the country on March 3.On Sunday it was revealed that patient 24 is a 48-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital after returning from Italy, Maariv reported. She voted in the March 2 elections at at polling station 21 in the Evan Han School in Shoham, northern Israel.The 23rd person diagnosed with coronavirus was announced Saturday night. The Tel Aviv man returned from Italy on February 29, immediately entered into quarantine and only left his house to vote on March 2 at a “coronavirus voting station” in the area.Patient 22 was also diagnosed on Saturday. The 50-year-old man from the center of the country returned from Barcelona on March 1.Patients 18-21 were confirmed on Friday.Patient 21, a Haifa resident in his 30s, returned from Austria on March 1 and is quarantined at Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa. Patient 20, from the center of the country, returned from Madrid on March 2.Patients 18 and 19 are both in their 50s and from central Israel. Number 19 returned from Zurich on March 4. Patient 18 returned from Spain on February 27.No. 17 is a pensioner who returned from abroad who went directly into quarantine after driving home in a private car.In addition to the Israelis diagnosed with the virus, an Italian citizen who was in Israel for a conference in February was diagnosed with coronavirus after returning to Italy, the Foreign Affairs Ministry announced.The Italian was in Israel between February 23 and 25, and spent most of his time at the Dan Hotel in Tel Aviv. In addition, a French tourist to Israel tested positive for the virus on Friday. He spent around 24 hours in the country, traveling between Ben-Gurion Airport and Jerusalem, where he took part in a family celebration at the Rambam Synagogue in the Katamon neighborhood.The Palestinian Authority Health Ministry said 19 Palestinians have been infected with the virus, most likely via interaction with a group of Greek pilgrims who visited Bethlehem and neighboring Beit Jala. The city is on lockdown and the PA is reportedly working with Israel to contain the virus.Patient number 16, a bus driver from east Jerusalem, like patient 24 was also infected by the Greek tourists. He is in critical condition at Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, in Tiberias, where he checked in with pneumonia. The man is on artificial respiration, according to the most recent reports. On Sunday, the medical center reported that his condition was worsening and that he had a high fever.To date, more than 80,000 Israelis are in home quarantine. The Population and Immigration Authority said on Saturday 19,089 foreigners have left Israel in the last 24 hours.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--23rd person found with coronavirus in Israel


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--France says 16 people have died from coronavirus - health official

Sixteen people in France have died from coronavirus, the head of the country's public health service, Jerome Salomon, said on Saturday, an increase of five since the previous toll.France now has 949 confirmed cases of coronavirus, Salomon said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--Egypt confirms 33 new cases of coronavirus on Nile cruise ship

Egypt confirmed on Saturday 33 new cases of coronavirus on a cruise ship on the River Nile that officials said the previous day had been struck by the virus, the health minister said.None of the cases were showing symptoms of the illness, Health Minister Hala Zayed told reporters.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--Paraguay confirms its first case of coronavirus

Paraguay has registered its first confirmed case of coronavirus, the Health Ministry said on Twitter on Saturday.No other details about the case were included in the tweet, which said ministry officials were scheduled to hold a news conference on the matter later in the day.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--Gantz: The people have spoken, it is the end of Netanyahu's rule

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz said on Saturday evening that the people have spoke and it is "the end of [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's rule.""We will not you encourage hate," Gantz said, speaking directly to Netanyahu. "The incitement is going overboard, and you are silent."This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-03-07--Diamond Princess passenger dies, bringing ship's death toll to seven

A former passenger of the Diamond Princess cruise ship who was infected with coronavirus has died, bringing the death toll from the ship to seven, Japanese public broadcaster NHK said on Saturday.The passenger, a non-Japanese male, died on Friday, NHK said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--Moscow city: People ignoring coronavirus self-isolation rules could face prison

The city government had announced a `` high alert regime '' and imposed extra measures on Thursday to prevent a @ @ @ @ @ the Russian capital .
Those who return from China , South Korea , Iran , @ @ @ @ @ and Spain and other states showing possible `` unfavorable '' signs of coronavirus should self-isolate @ @ @ @ @ days , Moscow city hall has said .
The Moscow healthcare department said on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ risked severe punishment including imprisonment of up to five years .
It said authorities would @ @ @ @ @ of closed circuit TV cameras .
In an information sheet , the department said it @ @ @ @ @ self-isolation to walk their dog , but at a time when there are fewest people @ @ @ @ @ wearing a face mask .

Moscow city authorities threatened prison terms of up to five years on Sunday for people failing to self-isolate in their homes for two weeks after visiting countries hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak.
The city government had announced a "high alert regime" and imposed extra measures on Thursday to prevent a spread of the illness in the Russian capital.
Those who return from China, South Korea, Iran, France, Germany, Italy and Spain and other states showing possible "unfavorable" signs of coronavirus should self-isolate themselves at home for 14 days, Moscow city hall has said.
The Moscow healthcare department said on Sunday that those disregarding the regulation risked severe punishment including imprisonment of up to five years.
It said authorities would be checking self-isolation through use of closed circuit TV cameras.
In an information sheet, the department said it was OK for residents in self-isolation to walk their dog, but at a time when there are fewest people in the streets, and wearing a face mask.
There have been 15 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--Hong Kong records third coronavirus death

The female patient had developed fever , shortness of breath , cough and abdominal pain on Feb. 28 and was @ @ @ @ @ day .

A 76-year-old Hong Kong woman became the third coronavirus patient who died in the Chinese-ruled city, the Hospital Authority said on Sunday.
The female patient had developed fever, shortness of breath, cough and abdominal pain on Feb. 28 and was admitted to hospital the same day.
Hong Kong recorded four new cases of infections on Sunday, taking the total to 114.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--Vietnam's coronavirus cases jump to 29

Vietnam's coronavirus cases jump to 29

The new cases confirmed on Sunday include eight foreign tourists arriving in Hanoi on a Vietnam Airlines flight from London @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
The first 16 cases in the country have been cured @ @ @ @ @ and there have been no deaths .

Vietnam's number of coronavirus cases jumped to 29 on Sunday from 20 a day earlier, the Southeast Asian country's Ministry of Health said.
The new cases confirmed on Sunday include eight foreign tourists arriving in Hanoi on a Vietnam Airlines flight from London on Monday, the ministry said in a statement.
The first 16 cases in the country have been cured and released from hospitals, and there have been no deaths.
The ministry said 101 suspected coronavirus cases are quarantined in the country while 23,228 others are being monitored.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--Iran's coronavirus cases reach 6,566, with 194 deaths

Iran said 194 people had died from coronavirus and 6,566 were now infected, in a TV announcement by the Health Ministry on Sunday.Iran has one of the highest number of deaths from the illness outside of China, where the virus originated. Iranians were warned by ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur to avoid all large gatherings and stay home."There have been 743 people who have been added to the total of those infected by COVID-19 through lab test results," he said. "In the past 24 hours, we have had 49 people who have died from this illness so we have at least 194 deaths until now."IranAir has suspended until further notice all flights to European destinations, the official IRNA news agency reported on Sunday, citing a statement from the Civil Aviation Organization.Iran is the epicenter of the outbreak in the Middle East as most of the cases reported in the region are either people who were in Iran or who caught the virus from people who had visited the Islamic Republic.Several countries in the region have closed their borders with Iran and stopped flights.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--Bangladesh confirms its first three cases of coronavirus

Bangladesh on Sunday confirmed its first three cases of coronavirus in the south Asian country, said the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).
The affected people, aged between 20 and 35, include two who returned home from Italy recently, IEDCR Director Meerjady Sabrina told reporters.
The other was a family member of one of those two, she said.
"There are in stable condition and are being treated in a hospital," Sabrina said.
Three more people who came in contact with the infected people have been kept in quarantine as a precaution, she added.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said earlier on Sunday her government was prepared to tackle the virus, urging people not to panic.
"Coronavirus has become a global problem. We are monitoring the situation round the clock and taking necessary steps," she said at an event in the capital, Dhaka.
The government on Sunday urged Bangladeshi citizens returning from six countries - China, Italy, South Korea, Singapore, Iran and Thailand - to quarantine themselves in their homes for 14 days.
Authorities in Bangladesh say they have strengthened the screening of travelers and more than 400,000 people have been screened at airports and other border entry points.
Experts have warned it may be hard to contain a spread of the illness in densely populated South Asia with its generally poor medical infrastructure.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--Israel Katz: The Joint List is full of terrorists in suits

Foreign Minister Israel Katz (Likud) lashed out at members of the Arab Joint List on Sunday, calling them “terrorists in suits.” The phrase was popularized by the Strategic Affairs Ministry, which has a report by the same name.“We heard [Blue and White leader] Benny Gantz talking about forming a minority government with the support of the members of the Joint List,” Katz said in an interview with the Hebrew press. “They went against the Arab League’s decision to recognize Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. They are terrorists in suits or supporters of terrorists in suits.”In response to Katz’s comments, Joint List chairman Ayman Odeh said, “The Likud are losers in ties.”But other Arab MKs and members of the Joint List did not take Katz’s comments in jest.MK Heba Yazbak (UAL-Balad) said Katz’s comment and similar ones by other members of Likud, including the prime minister, were “dangerous and unrestrained incitement against Arab elected officials.”“‘Terrorists in suits’ is a nice code name for, ‘We lost the elections and we do not know how to deal with it,’” she said.MK Yousef Jabareen appealed to Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit to open an investigation against Katz for incitement.“This is crazy incitement against the Arab public, and it is particularly serious when it comes from the mouth of a senior government minister against other elected officials from a weakened minority group,” he said.However, Maurice Hirsch, head of legal strategies for Palestinian Media Watch, told The Jerusalem Post while he “cannot say conclusively that members of the list are terrorists, what is clear is that the Joint Arab List’s party manifesto contains multiple statements and goals that support Palestinian terrorism.”For example, he said, the manifesto says: “The Joint Arab List aspires to free all the political prisoners.”“The term ‘political prisoners’ is a well-know euphemism for all of the imprisoned Palestinian terrorists, including mass murderers like Abdallah Barghouti, murderer of 67; and Abbas A-Sayed, the terrorist mastermind behind the Park Hotel massacre of 29 people,” Hirsch said.“The manifesto also promotes Israel giving away Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria to the terrorism-supporting Palestinian Authority and the Golan Heights to [Syrian President] Bashar Assad and his chemical-weapons arsenal,” he said, referring to the part of the manifesto that reads: “The Joint Arab List will work to abolish the laws annexing Jerusalem and the Golan [Heights] and laws that contradict the rights of the Palestinian refugees,” among other sections.Most vocal in his support of terrorism is MK Ahmad Tibi, who has praised well-known terrorist Marwan Barghouti, Hirsch said.“Tibi even went as far as saying that Hamas firing missiles at Israel’s civilian population is not only ‘possible and allowed,’ but that it is ‘one of the rights of a nation under occupation in the same way that Hezbollah operated and triumphed in its resistance,’” he said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--Head of Italy's Piedmont region ill with coronavirus

The head of Italy's Piedmont region, Alberto Cirio, has tested positive for coronavirus, state broadcaster RAI said on Sunday, becoming the second regional president to fall ill in just 24 hours.Piedmont, which is centered on the northern city of Turin, has been the fourth-worst hit region in Italy in the outbreak of coronavirus, which took hold last month. On Saturday, the head of Lazio, Nicola Zingaretti, said he had the disease.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--IranAir stops all flights to Europe

IranAir stops all flights to Europe

`` With attention to the restrictions that have been placed on ( IranAir ) flights by Europe for unclear reasons @ @ @ @ @ destinations have been suspended until further notice , '' IRNA reported , citing the statement @

IranAir has stopped all flights to European destinations, the official IRNA news agency reported on Sunday, citing a statement from the Civil Aviation Organization.
"With attention to the restrictions that have been placed on (IranAir) flights by Europe for unclear reasons all IranAir flights to European destinations have been suspended until further notice," IRNA reported, citing the statement.
Iran is in the midst of a coronavirus outbreak, with 5,823 infections and 145 deaths, one of the highest rates of fatality from the illness outside of China, where the virus originated.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--Saudi Arabia reports four new cases of coronavirus, taking total to 11

Saudi Arabia's authorities recorded four news cases of the coronavirus, taking the total of infections to 11, the kingdom's health ministry said on Twitter on Sunday.Riyadh restricted land crossings with neighboring countries on Saturday to commercial trucks only, adding that passenger arrivals will be limited to three airports in the country.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--Cruise ship idled by coronavirus outbreak bound for Oakland, California

Princess Cruises , a unit of the world 's leading cruise operator , Carnival Corp , which owns the ship @ @ @ @ @ the ship 's destination comes from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , @ @ @ @ @ with state and local officials .

An ocean liner barred from returning to port in San Francisco due to a coronavirus outbreak on board will dock briefly at a nearby terminal in Oakland, where passengers will be screened and sent on to medical and quarantine sites elsewhere, officials said on Sunday.The cruise ship Grand Princess, whose guests have been largely confined to their staterooms since Thursday, is due to arrive at the Port of Oakland to begin disembarking its 2,400 passengers as early as Monday, according to a statement by the California Office of Emergency Services.Plans call for all 1,100 crew members to remain aboard the vessel, which will depart Oakland as soon as possible following the removal of the passengers and "will remain elsewhere for the duration of the crew's quarantine," the statement said.Passengers requiring acute medical attention and hospitalization will be taken to unspecified health care facilities elsewhere in California, the state agency said.Passengers who are well and from California - about 1,000 have been identified as state residents - will be taken to a federal facility "for testing and isolation," the agency said.The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said separately that the Californian passengers would go to one of two military installations already serving as quarantine sites - Travis Air Force Base near Sacramento and Miramar Naval Air Station near San Diego.The remaining passengers will be transported by the federal government to facilities in other states , identified by HHS as Joint Base San Antonio Lackland in Texas or Dobbins Air Force Base in Georgia. That number was not specified, though at least 34 are from Georgia, according to state officials.HHS said all passengers from the ship would be subject to "mandatory quarantine" and health monitoring at their respective military bases for 14 days, the presumed incubation period of the sometimes-deadly respiratory virus, also known as COVID-19.It said the US State Department was working to arrange the repatriation to their home countries of several hundred passengers of other nationalities.The Port of Oakland, located across San Francisco Bay from the vessel's home berth, was chosen because it was one of few in the region able to accommodate a large cruise liner and was deemed relatively easy to "seal off" while passengers are screened and moved elsewhere, the Emergency Services Office said.California Governor Gavin Newsom praised local officials for agreeing to welcome the ship temporarily. "They are showing the world what makes our state great - coming to the rescue of thousands of people trapped aboard this ship and helping tackle a national emergency," Newsom said in a statement.Initial word that the vessel would dock in Oakland came late on Saturday from its owner and operator, Princess Cruises. It capped four days of uncertainty for those on the vessel, which has been linked with four coronavirus cases from an earlier voyage.Princess Cruises, a unit of the world's leading cruise operator, Carnival Corp, is also owner of the Diamond Princess, which was quarantined off Japan in February and became for a time the largest concentration of coronavirus cases outside of China, where the outbreak originated. About 700 people aboard that ship became infected, and six have died.The Grand Princess was first denied entry to San Francisco Bay on Wednesday as it sailed back from Hawaii after state and local health authorities learned that some passengers and crew had developed flu-like symptoms, and that two guests from an earlier cruise to Mexico aboard the same ship later tested positive for coronavirus. One has died.Health authorities say they probably contracted the respiratory virus aboard the vessel. Since then, at least two other passengers from the Mexico voyage have also been diagnosed.Newsom had insisted the ship remain at sea until individuals aboard who were sick could be tested, and diagnostic kits were flown to the ocean liner by helicopter on Thursday.On Friday, US Vice President Mike Pence, leading the US government response to the coronavirus, announced that 19 crew members and two passengers had tested positive. But the immediate fate of the ship had remained murky until officials revealed their next steps on Sunday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--Bulgaria confirms first four cases of coronavirus

Bulgaria reported on Sunday its first four confirmed cases of the coronavirus.Two men from the northern city of Pleven and two women from the city of Gabrovo in central Bulgaria tested positive for the coronavirus following widespread testing, said Todor Kantardzhiev, head of the National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--Saudi Arabia asks people arriving from four countries to self-quarantine

It asked people who had visited any of the four countries showing symptoms of the virus to contact the authorities @ @ @ @ @ cases on Saturday , a woman who came from Iran via Bahrain and another woman @ @ @ @ @ kingdom from Iraq via the United Arab Emirates , taking the total number of cases @ @ @

Saudi
Arabia
Saudi
has asked people who have traveled to Lebanon, Egypt, Italy or South Korea to self-quarantine for two weeks from the day of their arrival in the Kingdom,state media quoted the health ministry as saying on Saturday.
It asked people who had visited any of the four countries showing symptoms of the virus to contact the authorities.
Saudi Arabia reported two new coronavirus cases on Saturday, a woman who came from Iran via Bahrain and another woman who came to the Gulf kingdom from Iraq via the United Arab Emirates, taking the total number of cases to seven.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--South Korea reports 179 new coronavirus cases as rate of increase slows

SEOUL - South Korea reported an additional 179 new coronavirus cases, for a total of 272 new cases over the previous 24 hours, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said late on Sunday.The new cases bring South Korea's total to 7,313, the largest number of any country outside of China.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--Moldova reports first coronavirus case

Moldova reports first coronavirus case

CHISINAU - Moldova has reported its first confirmed coronavirus case, the Moldovan health ministry said late on Saturday.The 48-year-old woman was hospitalized on Saturday after she arrived from Italy, the ministry said in a statement."The person was taken from the airport ... with bilateral pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, fever, cough, general weakness," it said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--Poriya Hospital: Deterioration in condition of bus driver with coronavirus

Twenty-five Israelis have been diagnosed with coronavirus as of press time on Saturday, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared coronavirus the worst pandemic in 100 years.Patients 17 through 25 were found to have the virus over the weekend and are in quarantine. The Health Ministry reported they are in stable condition.Netanyahu said Israel is “acting on both the national and international levels” and that in the past 48 hours he had spoken with world leaders and initiated a conference call with other countries that will be held next week to see how world leaders can help each other.He rolled out a five-part plan for attacking coronavirus in Israel.First, all public installations will undergo disinfection, the prime minister said.“This virus is sensitive to bleach and we must act in an orderly way to disinfect railway stations, bus stations, etc.,” he said. “To this end, over the vacation period, which may be extended, I will mobilize young people, both in schools and in youth movements, in a very meticulous way, to help with the disinfection. I will also ask the IDF to take care of certain installations.”Next, he said the Air Force may be enlisted to ensure Israel has all essential supplies. Third, he said, he is working on opening a line of credit in order to provide a response for businesses and companies that will feel the pressure.“Fourth, we will mobilize the best minds in Israel in order to develop a broad test in order to ensure an industrial testing ability that will separate between ill and healthy people,” Netanyahu explained. “We will continue to watch over the Israeli economy. Without this, things would bring about a two-fold – economic and industrial – collapse. It is within our ability to change this.”And finally, the prime minister said that Israel will use its ties with leaders in certain countries: “We will help them and they will help us,” he said. “With God’s help, we will overcome the crisis together.”Patient number 25 is from central Israel. He returned from Spain on March 2. Patient 24, from the center of the country, flew to Greece on February 27 with a group of pilgrims, 21 of whom have since been diagnosed with the virus. He returned to the country on March 3.On Sunday it was revealed that patient 24 is a 48-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital after returning from Italy, Maariv reported. She voted in the March 2 elections at at polling station 21 in the Evan Han School in Shoham, northern Israel.The 23rd person diagnosed with coronavirus was announced Saturday night. The Tel Aviv man returned from Italy on February 29, immediately entered into quarantine and only left his house to vote on March 2 at a “coronavirus voting station” in the area.Patient 22 was also diagnosed on Saturday. The 50-year-old man from the center of the country returned from Barcelona on March 1.Patients 18-21 were confirmed on Friday.Patient 21, a Haifa resident in his 30s, returned from Austria on March 1 and is quarantined at Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa. Patient 20, from the center of the country, returned from Madrid on March 2.Patients 18 and 19 are both in their 50s and from central Israel. Number 19 returned from Zurich on March 4. Patient 18 returned from Spain on February 27.No. 17 is a pensioner who returned from abroad who went directly into quarantine after driving home in a private car.In addition to the Israelis diagnosed with the virus, an Italian citizen who was in Israel for a conference in February was diagnosed with coronavirus after returning to Italy, the Foreign Affairs Ministry announced.The Italian was in Israel between February 23 and 25, and spent most of his time at the Dan Hotel in Tel Aviv. In addition, a French tourist to Israel tested positive for the virus on Friday. He spent around 24 hours in the country, traveling between Ben-Gurion Airport and Jerusalem, where he took part in a family celebration at the Rambam Synagogue in the Katamon neighborhood.The Palestinian Authority Health Ministry said 19 Palestinians have been infected with the virus, most likely via interaction with a group of Greek pilgrims who visited Bethlehem and neighboring Beit Jala. The city is on lockdown and the PA is reportedly working with Israel to contain the virus.Patient number 16, a bus driver from east Jerusalem, like patient 24 was also infected by the Greek tourists. He is in critical condition at Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, in Tiberias, where he checked in with pneumonia. The man is on artificial respiration, according to the most recent reports. On Sunday, the medical center reported that his condition was worsening and that he had a high fever.To date, more than 80,000 Israelis are in home quarantine. The Population and Immigration Authority said on Saturday 19,089 foreigners have left Israel in the last 24 hours.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--Israel will not force those coming from the US into quarantine

The Health Ministry is considering adding the American states of Washington , New York and California to the list of places requiring their visitors now in Israel to do 14 days of home-quarantine .
In an interview with Channel 12 , Health Ministry director-general Moshe Bar Siman Tov said the ministry was making decisions regarding the United States not as one country but on a state-by-state basis .
As such , he said that as of Saturday night , the only states from which travelers might require quarantine are Washington , New York and California .
Other states could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But on Sunday morning , it appeared that a decision was made - despite no official notice from the Health Ministry .
Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin said that Israel is reconsidering putting all travelers who come to Israel from the United States into quarantine .
He told Army Radio that , `` such a decision has internal significance in the US .
It 's important to work on this issue in collaboration with the Americans . ''
He told Channel 12 that a final decision would be made late by early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a decision was made - despite no official notice from the Health Ministry .
Other Western nations – including Norway , Belgium and the Netherlands – are also being considered for quarantine .
The ministry is waiting to receive news about the coronavirus situation in all of these countries before making a decision , which Bar Siman Tov said would be done in close cooperation with the National Security Council .
At the same time , all Israelis who attended the AIPAC Policy Conference last week in Washington and returned to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home-quarantine , a spokesperson for the Health Ministry told The Jerusalem Post on Saturday .
Overnight , `` The additional positive case is a resident who recently returned from attending the AIPAC Conference in Washington , D.C. where there was a known exposure to a person who was positive for COVID-19 , officials from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said , '' NBC reported .
The decision came after at least two New Yorkers who attended conference , held February 28 to March 2 , tested positive for the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , NBC Los Angeles reported that a third AIPAC attendee was diagnosed with COVID-19 , bringing the total number of cases in LA County to 14 .
A spokesperson for AIPAC said he did not know how many Israelis took part in the 18,000-person conference , which was attended by a few world leaders , dozens of members of Congress and high-profile administration officials .
Vice President Mike Pence was the keynote speaker .
According to the AIPAC website , prominent Israeli participants included former ambassadors to the United States Danny Ayalon and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Jerusalem Municipality Ofer Berkovitch .
In contrast to the Health Ministry , the capital ’ s Department of Health issued a statement Friday saying that , based on its investigation in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health ( NYSDH ) , “ There is no identified risk to conference attendees at this time .
All attendees and members of the public are urged to follow the well-established prevention tips , like staying home if sick and calling ahead to a health provider if experiencing symptoms .
We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attendees informed of any new developments.
” AIPAC also released a statement on Friday , saying the organization is in constant communication with the Westchester County Health Department and the DC Health Department , which is coordinating with the New York Health Department as well as with national health authorities .
“ We have consulted with a top infectious disease specialist , Dr. Edward Septimus – adjunct professor of Internal Medicine at Texas A & M College of Medicine , ” AIPAC said in a statement .
The pro-Israel organization called on all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control and Prevention guidelines and consult with their health care providers if they feel ill or have medical questions .
“ If you test positive for coronavirus , we urge you to inform your local health authorities , so they can properly coordinate their response to this situation with the appropriate health authorities , ” AIPAC added .
Pence , who is the Trump administration point man in charge of coronavirus response , was asked during a press conference on Friday about the fact that two attendees tested positive for the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now in Washington .
But the vice president did note that thousands of Americans are currently in isolation and cautioned those who are elderly or suffer from health conditions such as heart disease or respiratory issues should “ use common sense ” and refrain from taking part in activities or outings that could put them at risk .
“ It ’ s the first I heard of it amidst a busy day – and we will be engaged , I am confident , with the same contact tracing like with any case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did note that thousands of Americans are currently in isolation and cautioned those who are elderly or suffer from health conditions such as heart disease or respiratory issues should “ use common sense ” and refrain from taking part in activities or outings that could put them at risk .
This is the second instance of coronavirus being reported in the Washington area .
Nearby Maryland declared a state of emergency last week after three patients tested positive for coronavirus in Montgomery County , which borders the district .
At the same time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four more states over the weekend and the number of cases in San Francisco continues to increase .
Among the 2,400 passengers stranded off the California coast on a cruise ship , there are at least 21 infected people , Reuters reported .
As of Saturday night , New York was reporting 76 cases of coronavirus , many of them in the close-knit Modern Orthodox Jewish community of Westchester County north of Manhattan .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo has declared a state of emergency to deal with the worsening coronavirus crisis .

The Health Ministry is considering adding the American states of Washington, New York and California to the list of places requiring their visitors now in Israel to do 14 days of home-quarantine.
In an interview with Channel 12, Health Ministry director-general Moshe Bar Siman Tov said the ministry was making decisions regarding the United States not as one country but on a state-by-state basis.
As such, he said that as of Saturday night, the only states from which travelers might require quarantine are Washington, New York and California. Other states could be added to the list in the future.
But on Sunday morning, it appeared that a decision was made - despite no official notice from the Health Ministry. Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin said that Israel is reconsidering putting all travelers who come to Israel from the United States into quarantine. He told Army Radio that, "such a decision has internal significance in the US . It's important to work on this issue in collaboration with the Americans." He told Channel 12 that a final decision would be made late by early Sunday.But on Sunday morning, it appeared that a decision was made - despite no official notice from the Health Ministry.
פרסום ראשון: ישראל הקפיאה את הנחיות הבידוד לשבים מחלק ממדינות ארה"ב. שר התיירות יריב לוין ב-#נכוןלהבוקר: "לקבלת החלטה כזו יש משמעותיות פנימיות בארה"ב. חשוב לפעול בנושא הזה בשיתוף פעולה עם האמריקנים"(צילום: הלל מאייר, פלאש90) @IshayShnerb @ilils1 pic.twitter.com/GJ56yxR3Us — גלצ (@GLZRadio) March 8, 2020
Other Western nations – including Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands – are also being considered for quarantine. The ministry is waiting to receive news about the coronavirus situation in all of these countries before making a decision, which Bar Siman Tov said would be done in close cooperation with the National Security Council.
At the same time, all Israelis who attended the AIPAC Policy Conference last week in Washington and returned to the country after March 5 must immediately enter home-quarantine, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry told The Jerusalem Post on Saturday.
Overnight, "The additional positive case is a resident who recently returned from attending the AIPAC Conference in Washington, D.C. where there was a known exposure to a person who was positive for COVID-19, officials from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said," NBC reported. The decision came after at least two New Yorkers who attended conference, held February 28 to March 2, tested positive for the coronavirus, the pro-Israel lobby confirmed on Friday.Overnight, NBC Los Angeles reported that a third AIPAC attendee was diagnosed with COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in LA County to 14.
A spokesperson for AIPAC said he did not know how many Israelis took part in the 18,000-person conference, which was attended by a few world leaders, dozens of members of Congress and high-profile administration officials. Vice President Mike Pence was the keynote speaker.
According to the AIPAC website, prominent Israeli participants included former ambassadors to the United States Danny Ayalon and Itamar Rabinovich and head of the opposition in the Jerusalem Municipality Ofer Berkovitch.
In contrast to the Health Ministry, the capital’s Department of Health issued a statement Friday saying that, based on its investigation in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDH), “There is no identified risk to conference attendees at this time. All attendees and members of the public are urged to follow the well-established prevention tips, like staying home if sick and calling ahead to a health provider if experiencing symptoms. We will work with AIPAC leadership to keep all attendees informed of any new developments.”
AIPAC also released a statement on Friday, saying the organization is in constant communication with the Westchester County Health Department and the DC Health Department, which is coordinating with the New York Health Department as well as with national health authorities.
“We have consulted with a top infectious disease specialist, Dr. Edward Septimus – adjunct professor of Internal Medicine at Texas A&M College of Medicine,” AIPAC said in a statement.
The pro-Israel organization called on all conference participants to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and consult with their health care providers if they feel ill or have medical questions. “If you test positive for coronavirus, we urge you to inform your local health authorities, so they can properly coordinate their response to this situation with the appropriate health authorities,” AIPAC added.
Pence, who is the Trump administration point man in charge of coronavirus response, was asked during a press conference on Friday about the fact that two attendees tested positive for the virus, and whether he is concerned the virus is now in Washington.
But the vice president did note that thousands of Americans are currently in isolation and cautioned those who are elderly or suffer from health conditions such as heart disease or respiratory issues should “use common sense” and refrain from taking part in activities or outings that could put them at risk. “It’s the first I heard of it amidst a busy day – and we will be engaged, I am confident, with the same contact tracing like with any case,” Pence said.But the vice president did note that thousands of Americans are currently in isolation and cautioned those who are elderly or suffer from health conditions such as heart disease or respiratory issues should “use common sense” and refrain from taking part in activities or outings that could put them at risk.
This is the second instance of coronavirus being reported in the Washington area. Nearby Maryland declared a state of emergency last week after three patients tested positive for coronavirus in Montgomery County, which borders the district. At the same time, the virus surfaced in at least four more states over the weekend and the number of cases in San Francisco continues to increase.
Among the 2,400 passengers stranded off the California coast on a cruise ship, there are at least 21 infected people, Reuters reported.
As of Saturday night, New York was reporting 76 cases of coronavirus, many of them in the close-knit Modern Orthodox Jewish community of Westchester County north of Manhattan. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has declared a state of emergency to deal with the worsening coronavirus crisis.


jerusalempost--2020-03-08--Four confirmed dead from collapsed China hotel used as quarantine site

By subscribing I accept the terms of use

SHANGHAI/BEIJING - Four people have died in the collapse of a hotel in the Chinese city of Quanzhou, the Ministry of Emergency Management said on Sunday, after state media said the place was being used to quarantine individuals under observation for the coronavirus.The hotel began to collapse on Saturday evening. As of 10:30 a.m. Beijing time on Sunday, authorities had retrieved 42 individuals from the site of the collapse, the ministry said.Of that total, four have been confirmed dead, four have severe injuries, and one remains in critical condition, it said.