Israel: Netanyahu re-enters quarantine over virus fears

JERUSALEM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday entered self-quarantine for a second time after being in contact with Israeli Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, newly diagnosed with coronavirus.

The prime minister's media office said in a statement that based on Netanyahu's doctor and Health Ministry instructions, he will go into quarantine until next Wednesday.

The Israeli media also reported that Mossad spy agency chief Yossi Cohen and Health Ministry head Moshe Bar Siman Tov entered quarantine after also being in contact with the health minister.

The Israeli death toll from coronavirus is currently at 31, with over 6,200 infections.

After first appearing in Wuhan, China in December, the virus has spread to at least 180 countries and regions.

Data compiled by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University shows worldwide infections nearing 942,000, with more than 47,000 deaths. Over 195,000 have recovered from infections.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara