Israel counts 4,537 new coronavirus cases before lockdown

While the number of new covid-19 cases tallied on Wednesday was a high 4,537, the seriously ill figure was unchanged at 549 as were the patients on ventilators -165. There was also a drop in the proportion of positive tests – 8.8pc down from nearly 10pc out of the 51,000 tests conducted on Wednesday. Beersheba and Holon have joined the list of “red” cities. Early Thursday, the ministers approved the restrictions to be imposed in the lockdown that goes into effect on Friday afternoon.  The Knesset will be asked to confirm the package later in the day.