The Likud's faction manager in the Knesset, Aliza Barashi, tested positive for coronavirus, sending all employees of the Likud faction into quarantine until epidemiological investigations are completed.
Barashi's positive diagnosis was made following the unusual incident involving Likud MK David Bitan's violation of Health Ministry guidelines, reported last week, that led some 30 employees and three MKs into quarantine. Faced by criticism, Bitan stated that he didn't know that he was infected, despite showing coronavirus-related symptoms.
Bitan has been hospitalized since Sunday and in serious but stable condition since Monday, when Sheba Medical Center and his family announced that he had been connected to an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machine.
Earlier, Health Ministry deputy director-general Chezy Levy and Head of Public Services Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis entered quarantine after a member of their office tested positive. Levy was already screened for the virus and had a negative result. He does not have any symptoms and will continue to operate as usual from home.