In the past 24 hours, 264 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed, but 343 patients have recovered at the same time, the Health Ministry reported Friday morning - this is the first time Israel's daily number of recoveries from coronavirus surpasses the number of new infections.

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Israel has recorded 12,855 cases of coronavirus so far - among them are 182 patients in serious condition, including 129 patients receiving respiratory assistance, 11 fewer than 24 hours earlier.

Sanitation workers disinfecting parking lot at Tel Aviv's Ichilov Hospital ( Photo: Gettyimages )

The Health Ministry noted that 15 of the 129 patients, who are treated using ventilators, are elderly people receiving respiratory assistance on a regular basis.

At least 157 patients are in moderate condition, while 9,401 only display mild symptoms and 2,967 patients have made a full recovery from the virus.

There are currently 632 coronavirus patients receiving treatment in hospitals while 7,242 people are fighting the virus at home. Another 1,531 people are currently receiving treatment in specially designated hotels and 335 are awaiting a decision on whether they will be treated.

Five Israelis have succumbed to complications of COVID-19, bringing the country's coronavirus-related fatalities to 148.

Abandoned Jerusalem streets amid coronavirus outbreak ( Photo: EPA )

Israel on Thursday evening approved the gradual reopening of the economy despite strong objections from health authorities due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

During a six-hour government meeting, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it was decided to slowly start reopening businesses that have been shut since emergency measures due to the spread of the virus were declared nearly a month ago.

The current proposal to open the economy, which is set to come into effect on Sunday, was presented by Defense Minister Naftali Bennett, who claimed it is vital to begin lifting the current lockdown as soon as possible.