Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tested negative for coronavirus on Thursday after Health Minister Yakov Litzman was diagnosed with it, officials said, the 70-year-old leader's second infection scare this week.
As a precaution, Netanyahu returned to self-isolation for six more days, they said. On Wednesday, he completed a quarantine following exposure two weeks ago to an infected aide.
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In between the two periods, Netanyahu went on national TV to announce new measures to curb the epidemic. His previous negative coronavirus test was on Monday.
In a statement, the Health Ministry said Litzman and his wife were feeling well despite having the coronavirus. Both Litzman and his wife tested positive, officials said earlier Thursday. Litzman, 71, has appeared regularly alongside the premier to give coronavirus updates.
Several other senior officials were also self-isolating due to contact with Litzman.
Among these were Mossad director Yossi Cohen, who officials said also tested negative for coronavirus on Thursday. The media reported that Cohen would self-isolate at Mossad headquarters for three days.
Health Ministry Director General Moshe Bar-Siman Tov announced via Twitter his own self-isolation at a facility at Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer.
