Gamzu pushing for partial ban on intercity travel, shutting schools and limiting workforce for nearly a month before gradual rollback, in bid to bring infections down to 700 a day

As ministers prepare to discuss possible closure, ministry chief says hospitals congested; Liberman, 2 Yisrael Beytenu MKs quarantined after settler leader tests positive

474 patients in serious condition with 158 listed as moderate; 43,455 tests carried out on Wednesday with a positive rate remaining high at 9%

As coronavirus cases steadily rise, PM weighs various proposals, ranging from full nationwide closure for a month to pinpoint restrictions over holidays

Speaking to health officials from quarantine, embattled Ronni Gamzu insists he has backing from public and government, and that the backlash he's received is just part of his work

Officials reportedly 'shocked' as hospital directors describe overworked teams treating more and more patients, as cases soar

Yoel Razvozov says officials are causing panic by including in toll many who died of other causes; senior Health Ministry official rejects accusation

Health Ministry figures show 30,366 active patients out of a total of 139,013, with 472 in serious condition; death toll rises to 1,048

Government has yet to finalize list of highly infected areas that will see nightly closures; minister indicates another delay in implementing plan is possible

But new video featuring 'Covid' character, aimed at raising awareness of guidelines, keeps its content diplomatically only about Israelis