20% of returning Israeli travelers from Turkey test positive for COVID-19

Turkey's coronavirus outbreak has been particularly aggressive.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Turkish police officers wearing face masks, with the Byzantine-era monument of Hagia Sophia, now a museum, in the background, patrol at touristic Sultanahmet Square following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Istanbul, Turkey, June 5, 2020 (photo credit: REUTERS/MURAD SEZER)
Turkish police officers wearing face masks, with the Byzantine-era monument of Hagia Sophia, now a museum, in the background, patrol at touristic Sultanahmet Square following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Istanbul, Turkey, June 5, 2020
(photo credit: REUTERS/MURAD SEZER)
Turkey has been for years a primary travel destination for Israelis. But in these times of coronavirus pandemic, it can be dangerous.
Indeed, out of 988 Israelis returning from Turkey between October 1 and October 28, some 197 of them tested positive for coronavirus, according to data from the Health Ministry, the website Intellinews reported. This ranks Turkey first place regarding the coronavirus infection rate among Israeli travelers.
Bulgaria was ranked second with a 13% infection rate, while the US was third with 6% and Greece fourth with 3%, according to the report.
Turkey's coronavirus outbreak is said to be out of control as it is difficult to measure its spread, given that the Turkish government refused to report asymptomatic COVID-19 cases.
The death toll in Turkey stands at over 12,000, with the hospital bed occupancy rate at over 50%.