Coronavirus cases in Israel up to 705

By Mustafa Deveci

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israel’s Health Ministry confirmed 28 new coronavirus cases in the country on Friday, raising the total number to 705.

In a statement, the ministry said 10 of the new COVID-19 patients are in serious condition.

A total of 15 people have recovered and been discharged from hospitals, the statement added.

Israel has taken several measures to stem the spread of the virus, including closing down cafes, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, and entertainment venues.

Earlier this week, the government also decided to track confirmed and suspected coronavirus patients by monitoring their cell phones.

According to local daily Haaretz, the government clarified that only those confirmed or suspected to have been infected would be monitored by Israeli police and internal security service Shin Bet.

According to data compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University, more than 245,000 cases and over 10,000 deaths have been recorded worldwide since the virus emerged in Wuhan, China, last December.

The data shows the virus has spread to at least 163 countries and regions, while more than 86,000 people have recovered after contracting COVID-19.