JERUSALEM

Israel registered six fatalities and 1,644 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Wednesday.

Health officials said the number of cases rose to 96,996, including 719 deaths, and 72,498 recoveries since the virus was first detected Feb. 21.

Since last December, over 22 million people have been infected, while more than 781,000 have died of the virus in 188 countries and regions, according to the US-based Johns Hopkins University's running tally.

* Writing by Mahmoud Barakat