Israeli environment minister tested positive for virus

F.P Report

JERUSALEM: Israel’s Environment Protection Minister Gila Gamliel on Sunday tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

“I have been diagnosed with coronavirus, I feel good and hope to recover quickly with God’s help,” Gamliel wrote on Twitter.

She is the fourth Israeli current cabinet member infected with the virus.

On Friday, Gamliel published photos of her celebrating Sukkot Jewish holiday with her family.

Last month, Israeli Minister of Immigration and Integration Pnina Tamano-Shata, 38, tested positive for COVID-19. She was followed by Jerusalem Affairs Minister Rafi Peretz and former housing minister Yaakov Litzman.

Amid an infection surge, Israeli authorities imposed a complete lockdown on Sept. 18, which will remain in effect until Oct. 14.

Over the past 24 hours, 2,557 infections have been confirmed, taking the nationwide count to 264,857, including 1,684 deaths.