The new cases raise the toll of Palestinians infected by the virus to 26 – all but one in Bethlehem.
By KHALED ABU TOAMEHA view shows Banksy's the Walled Off hotel and a section of the Israeli barrier in Bethlehem, October 23, 2018.(photo credit: MUSSA QAWASMA/REUTERS)
The Palestinian Authority announced on Monday that five new coronavirus cases have been discovered – five in Bethlehem and one from the village of Irtah, near Tulkarm in the northern West Bank.The new cases raise the number of Palestinians infected by the virus to 26 – all but one in Bethlehem.The case discovered in Tulkarm is the first outside of Bethlehem. Palestinians said the patient is a shopkeeper.PA health officials closed the man’s business and placed his family in home quarantine. The officials also ordered the closure of a mosque located near the man’s house.PA government spokesman Ibrahim Milhem initially announced that six new coronavirus cases had been discovered in the West Bank. Later, Milhem corrected the number to five.He said that the four new cases in Bethlehem had been in contact with those previously infected with the disease.The new coronavirus cases have increased fears among Palestinians that the disease could quickly spread to several Palestinian cities.PA Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh announced on Monday that the Palestinians and Jordan may close the border crossings between the West Bank and the kingdom in the coming days to prevent spread of the virus.The Palestinian and Jordanian governments are coordinating in an attempt to curb and prevent the spread of the disease, Shtayyeh said. “We may have to close the border crossings in the next few days.”Shtayyeh added that the PA was also in contact with the Egyptian authorities to prevent the virus from reaching the Gaza Strip.
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