Netanyahu warns 'no improvement' in coronavirus infection rate

Speaking during weekly cabinet meeting, PM says number of new diagnoses continues to increase by 200 every 24 hours, which he calls 'a red flag'; cites study that says wearing of face masks could prevent another wave of the outbreak
Nina Fuchs, Itamar Eichner|
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said there has been “no improvement” in the number of new daily coronavius cases.
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  • Israel over the past few weeks has seen a resurgence of COVID-19 as more and more businesses reopen, with the daily toll topping 200 new cases on Friday for the first time since April.
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    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
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    "Unfortunately, there is currently no improvement in the infection rate,” he said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting. “The number of infections continues to be about 200 per day, which is a red flag.
    He once again urged the public to adhere to public health orders and cited a research published in the UK, which claims that protective face masks prevent the spread of the pathogen.
    "I reiterate, everyone must obey the guidelines and respect the rules of the Health Ministry," he said. "I would like to bring the government and the public's attention to a study by the University of Cambridge and the University of Greenwich, which showed that wearing masks is a very effective way to prevent further outbreaks," he added.
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    Defense Minister Benny Gantz and PM Netanyahu during cabinet meeting
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    "The study found the use of masks by half of the population would lower the transmission coefficient to below one."
    Netanyahu, nevertheless, said for the time being the government wants to continue reopening the economy and provide financial help to the industries hit the hardest by the fallout from the recent lockdown.
    “Today, we will bring the NIS 50 million aid program for Eilat for the government’s approval. We will work to strengthen tourism in the area. Domestic tourism will partially replace foreign tourism.”
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