Israel sees record spike in virus-linked fatalities

JERUSALEM

Israel on Thursday recorded 59 more fatalities from the novel coronavirus over the past 24 hours -- its highest single-day figure since February.

The total number of fatalities now rose to 1,376, the Health Ministry said in a statement.

As many as 6,499 new coronavirus-related infections have raised the total number of cases to 209,635, it said.

Some 685 patients are in critical condition, while 148,417 recoveries have been recorded so far.

Israel returned to a total coronavirus lockdown on Friday that will last for three weeks in an attempt to stem the spread of the virus.

* Writing by Zehra Nur Duz from Ankara