Israeli Arab Lawmaker Tests Positive For Coronavirus

By Zein Khalil



The leader of the Arab Joint List in the Knesset (Israel's parliament), Ayman Odeh, said on Sunday he tested positive for the novel coronavirus.



"It has been proven my infection with coronavirus. I suffer a slight fever but I will keep working for the public from my quarantine," Odeh wrote on Twitter.



Odeh urged all residents to abide by the preventive measures to stem the spread of the virus, including wearing protective masks and social distancing.



Earlier on Sunday, Israeli Environment Protection Minister Gila Gamliel said she had contracted the virus.



Last month, Israeli Minister of Immigration and Integration Pnina Tamano-Shata, 38, tested positive for COVID-19. She was followed by Jerusalem Affairs Minister Rafi Peretz and former housing minister Yaakov Litzman.



Amid an infection surge, Israeli authorities imposed a complete lockdown on Sept. 18, which will remain in effect until Oct. 14.



Over the past 24 hours, 2,557 infections have been confirmed, taking the nationwide count to 264,857, including 1,684 deaths.



*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara -