Israel confirms first case of coronavirus

Workers inside a building at Tel HaShomer Hospital which was converted to receive the Israelis who were under quarantine on the cruise ship Diamond Princess in Japan due to the spread of the coronavirus, and arriving in Israel on Feb. 20. (Photo by Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

An Israeli woman who returned to the country after two weeks quarantined on a cruise ship off the coast of Japan has tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Israeli Health Ministry confirmed the positive result, the country’s first case of the virus, on Friday.

The woman was one of 11 Israelis who returned to Israel early this morning after two weeks on the ship. The plane was directed to a remote area of the airport and passengers were immediately taken to Sheba Medical Centre near Tel Aviv, where they will remain in quarantine for another 14 days.

The ministry said the other 10 passengers had not tested positive for the virus. All 11 passengers had tested negative for the virus before they left Japan.