About 110 Chinese construction workers in Israel tested positive for Coronavirus

 

By Amir Tal in Jerusalem and Philip Wang

 

Around 110 Chinese construction workers living in a crowded compound in Petach Tikva, Israel’s fourth largest city, have tested positive for coronavirus, the local authority said.

The Petach Tikva’s Municipality said it received a report on Aug. 13 that 20 Chinese workers were infected, all of whom had lived in a compound with about 300 other Chinese workers at an industrial area on the outskirts of the city. 

Mayor Rami Greenberg announced a series of quarantine measures, including the closure of the buildings, and evacuation and testing the residents. Since then, the health ministry has confirmed about 90 more cases.

The buildings are now emptied and will remain closed, the local authority said. The municipality told CNN on Tuesday the compound was in “inhumane sanitary conditions” and “not suitable for human residence.”

So far, local health authorities have tested 267 workers. Mayor Greenberg said those who were confirmed positive were transferred to quarantined motels and to hospitals. The rest were taken to various accommodations in Israel, where they will stay in quarantine for 14 days.

In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in Israel confirmed the situation, adding the infected workers are “all in light or asymptomatic conditions.”

The Chinese Embassy also urged its citizens to cooperate with quarantine measures and to stay alert.

“For those who have lived in related area or been in close contact with infected workers, please do not hide the contact history or your own illness for the sake of other people’s health and safety,” the embassy said. “Contact [the] Health Ministry immediately for a test,” it added.

 

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