A two-month-old premature baby was diagnosed as a carrier of the novel coronavirus on Sunday, the first such occurrence in Israel.
The baby, who was already in serious condition due to being born early, is hospitalized in the NICU at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem.
Authorities suspect that the preemie might have been infected by a hospital staff member, but the possibility of him having contracted the virus from one of his visiting parents has not been ruled out.
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The hospital issued a statement about the case, explaining that "an employee at the medical center who has tested positive for coronavirus, apparently contracted through community spread, worked a few shifts at the hospital, including some in the NICU. After an investigation, it turned out that one of the premature babies in the unit, who was born in serious medical condition at a very low weight, was diagnosed as a carrier. Therefore, to avoid any possible contact, the baby's parents and a number of staff have been quarantined."
Shaare Zedek said it was taking all necessary steps to protect its staff and the patients.
Worldwide, there have been only a handful of cases of babies contracting coronavirus.
