Israeli who returned from Italy diagnosed with coronavirus: ministry
Health Ministry says patient attended mass gatherings after arrival as he had no symptoms on early stage
An Israeli who recently returned from Italy has been diagnosed with COVID-19 coronavirus, Israel's Ministry of Health announced Thursday.
The Health Ministry said this was the officially the first coronavirus case confirmed on Israeli soil, with the patient, who is said to have developed "serious" symptoms, quarantined in the Sheba Medical Center.
According to the ministry, the patient has been in Israel for a few days since arrival on Sunday, and there is a possibility that he ended up spreading the disease further.
He is said to have been feeling well the first few days after arrival; the patient reportedly was in contact with others and attended mass public gatherings.
On Wednesday, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Italy surged to 400, in a 25% increase just over 24 hours, making the country the largest infections cluster in Europe.
Earlier on Thursday, Israel's Interior Ministry announced it was barring entry for foreign nationals with recent travels to Italy.
Israelis arriving from Italy are requested to go through two weeks of quarantine. The Israeli authorities also urged citizens to avoid traveling abroad for a while amid concerns over the global spread of the coronavirus.