12 Israelis diagnosed with coronavirus, among them an IDF soldier

As of Sunday night, 334 IDF soldiers have been quarantined for fears of having possibly contracted the virus.

By LEON SVERDLOV, MAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN
Coronavirus quarantine ward at Sheba Hospital in Ramat Gan (photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)
Coronavirus quarantine ward at Sheba Hospital in Ramat Gan
(photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)
There are now 12 Israelis who have been diagnosed with coronavirus in Israel, the Health Ministry reported. Two were diagnosed on Monday and three on Sunday.
The latest cases were reported by a resident of Ramat Gan, who returned from Italy on February 25, and a resident of Ashdod, who returned from Italy the next day.
Two of Sunday’s patients also caught the virus abroad. They returned from Italy on El Al flight LY290 on February 27. Both people are reportedly showing light symptoms of COVID-19.
All the patients and those who were on the flights with them have entered quarantine.
A third person that was diagnosed on Sunday night was a young soldier from Or Yehuda who contracted the disease after coming into contact with a confirmed carrier of the novel coronavirus. She contracted the virus working in the same store as another coronavirus patient who got it in Italy.
On Monday, the Health Ministry provided details of her whereabouts.
She worked at the Red Pirate toy store on February 24, 25 and 26, and visited a seamstress in the Or Yehuda mall.
She also took the No. 59 bus line several times before being diagnosed.
As of Sunday night, 334 soldiers have been quarantined for fears of having possibly contracted the virus, media reported. The majority of the soldiers were quarantined after returning from regions with major outbreaks.
Some were quarantined after coming in contact with the Korean delegation, while others when brushing elbows with confirmed carriers returning from Italy, according to the report.
According to Walla, the Health Ministry discovered 300 soldiers who are either currently in Italy or have returned from there after February 14.
An IDF air-defense recruitment event was canceled also for fears of coronavirus, the report said.