180 Israeli 8th graders quarantined after exposure to coronavirus

The coronoavirus has infected nearly 78,000 people globally. A group of eighth graders was recently quarantined in Israel after exposure to the deadly virus.

By World Israel News Staff

It started with 30 Israeli eighth graders from Beersheba who were instructed on Saturday to self-quarantine due to their contact with South Korean tourists who tested positive for coronavirus. That number grew to 180 by Sunday morning, Ynet reported.

The initial group of students and several teachers were sent into “isolation” on Saturday night.

According to the Education Ministry, the students will continue their studies and receive assistance from counselors at home, said the Times.

The group of Koreans to which the Israel teens were exposed visited Israel February 8-15, with nine confirmed coronavirus diagnoses announced upon their return to their home country.

Currently, Israel is refusing entry to tourists arriving from South Korea in addition to several other Asian countries.

Meanwhile, one of the 11 Israelis who were flown home after being quarantined on a cruise ship in Japan has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, the first case to be reported inside Israel, the Health Ministry said Friday.

South Korea has reported 433 cases, with two deaths.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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