TheCable

Yaakov Litzman, Israel’s health minister and his wife Chava have tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the ministry of health which made the announcement on Tuesday, Litzman and his wife are both in good condition.

“Litzman and his wife feel well, are receiving treatment and will be quarantined and supervised,” the ministry said.

Owing to Litzman’s diagnosis, Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel, was forced to re-enter quarantine having emerged from voluntary quarantine on Wednesday.

The prime minister, his family and several close advisers were tested on Monday and the results were negative.

His new isolation becomes necessary following his contacts with the 71-year-old health minister.

According to an Israeli daily Haaretz, the head of Israel’s Mossad spy agency and the National Security Council were asked to self-quarantine owing to their contact with Litzman.

The minister’s office staff were also quarantined on Thursday.

The statement by the ministry said Litzman would continue to work from home in accordance with doctor’s orders.

Israel has 6,211 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 33 deaths from the disease.