The chief commander of Israel's Border Police, Maj.-Gen. Yaakov Shabtai, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, though he is in "good condition," a spokesperson for the Border Police said in a statement on Saturday morning.
According to the statement, an epidemiological investigation is currently being performed to find out who needs to be quarantined and tested as a result of contact with the police chief.On Thursday, Shabtai attended a memorial service for the fallen soldiers of 2014's operation Protective Edge in Gaza. Also present at the service were President Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin, Chief Commander of the IDF Maj.-Gen Aviv Kochavi and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz.At least two senior police officers who came in contact with Border Police Chief Ya'akov Shabtai have already been instructed to go into isolation. The first is Avshalom Peled, Head of the Training Division, and the second is Amnon Alkalay, Head of the Security and Community Policing Division.
All Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee hearings this week have been canceled after an intern on the committee was diagnosed as positive for the novel coronavirus on Saturday.
In addition to committee chair MK Zvika Hauser, the committee's legal adviser and the committee director have also gone into isolation.
The Head of the IDF’s Central Command Maj.-Gen Nadav Padan entered quarantine along with another unnamed senior officer on Saturday after making direct contact with a confirmed coronavirus patient at an event on June 30.Both of the quarantined officers are reportedly feeling well and not displaying symptoms.