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Coronavirus numbers down as nation prepares for Independence Day curfew

The past 24 hours have seen only a slight rise in those testing positive for coronavirus, while the number of hospitalizations and those in serious condition continues to drop. 

By Paul Shindman, World Israel News

Health ministry statistics released Tuesday showed a continued drop in the number of serious cases of coronavirus as Israelis marked Remembrance Day and prepared for a curfew to be imposed later in the day.

The number of patients hospitalized with the coronavirus dropped to 354, less than half compared to the 783 Israelis who needed hospitalization on April 15. Of those hospitalized Tuesday, 117 were listed in serious condition, a drop of 9 percent since Monday.

It’s the second day in a row that’s seen less than 150 new corona cases in Israel.

Since Monday, six more people succumbed to the virus, bringing the death toll in Israel to 208. Only 123 new infections were detected and of the 15,589 confirmed cases, 7,375 people recovered from the virus.

Among those hospitalized was an 11-year-old girl who remains in serious condition in Rambam Hospital in Haifa, but doctors confirmed her condition improved and she had recovered from the coronavirus.  She is the only person in Israel under the age of 19 who had to be hospitalized with the virus and put on a ventilator.

“We did two tests yesterday and according to the tests she has recovered from corona,” Dr. Yossi Ben Ari, director of Rambam’s pediatric intensive care unit, told Ynet. “She is still in dire straits but there is improvement.”

Israel marks its annual Remembrance Day Tuesday commemorating those who fell in wars and to terrorism. Due to the pandemic, military cemeteries are closed to prevent crowding of mourning families.

The day traditionally ends with the start of Israel’s Independence Day, normally marked by large ceremonies, parties, and millions of Israelis holding picnic barbecue meals the following day. However, to prevent a resurgence of coronavirus infections, the government is imposing a nationwide curfew, forcing Israelis to celebrate at home.