Israel's health minister diagnosed with virus

Israel's health minister, who has had frequent contact in recent weeks with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other top officials, was diagnosed with the coronavirus, the Health Ministry announced Thursday.

Yaakov Litzman and his wife, who also has the virus, are in isolation, feel well and are being treated, the statement said.

Requests to enter isolation will be sent to those who came in contact with the minister in the past two weeks.

Netanyahu had gone into isolation previously after a top aide tested positive for coronavirus.

The Israeli daily Haaretz reported that the head of Israel's Mossad spy agency and the National Security Council were asked to go into isolation because of their contacts with Litzman.

Israel has gone into near lockdown to try to contain the virus outbreak.

Israel has reported over 6,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, and 26 deaths.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.