Telz Stone to remain open for the moment
Roughly a quarter of the town of Telz Stone is currently under quarantine while 14 residents have been infected with the coronavirus as of Tuesday.
Telz Stone, a small town just west of Jerusalem with some 6,500 residents, has had at least three serious incidents in which an infected individual had interactions with numerous other people in the town.
As a result, approximately 1,600 residents of the ultra-Orthodox town, almost a quarter of the population, are under quarantine in their homes.
All 14 residents who have been infected are in good condition, however, including a woman who just gave birth to a baby boy but who had to be separated from her new-born child due to the disease.
Test results for coronavirus Covid-19 for another 15 residents were expected to be received on Tuesday.
Despite this, a total lockdown of Telz Stone has not been ordered, and a spokesman said that at present such a measure is not being considered, although he added that this could swiftly change.
On the weekend of March 6 and 7, a visitor who works as an ambulance driver came to the town with his family, and despite having a high fever and coughing badly, attended two synagogues over Shabbat.
At least 150 residents had to be put into quarantine as a result of this incident.
Then, last week, the sister of a Telz Stone resident from France who was infected with Covid19 but was asymptomatic at the time, visited the town for Purim. Her brother held a large festive Purim meal which was attended by several other families.
The family of the brother have all been infected with the virus, and since his children attended school before they were symptomatic, all pupils and teaching staff of the school have also been put in quarantine.
Miriam (not her real name) is currently on quarantine with her husband and children in Telz Stone.
She said that spirits in the town were high despite the tough situation, and that residents were all helping each other out.
“Everyone is praying for each other, people are banding together and trying to help one another, there are volunteers delivering groceries to people in quarantine and distributing toys for children,” Miriam said.
She added however that for those not able to work, and for children cooped up in their apartments, the quarantine was taking a toll and that stress was increasing.
Nevertheless, she said that the town was not in a panic mode, and that the strong communal ties were helping the residents get through the crisis.