JERUSALEM, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The total number of COVID-19 cases in Israel rose to 301,896 on Friday after the addition of 1,695 new cases, marking a fourth consecutive day of decrease in the number of new cases, Israel's Ministry of Health said.

The death toll rose to 2,141, with 14 new fatalities, while the number of patients in serious condition decreased from 742 to 714, out of 1,227 patients currently hospitalized.

The total number of recoveries reached 262,503, with 5,277 new ones, while active cases dropped to 37,249, the lowest figure since Sept. 18, when the second nationwide was imposed to curb the virus' resurgence.

The Israeli Prime Minister's office and the Health Ministry announced earlier on Friday that the government has approved new coronavirus regulations for the first phase of exiting the lockdown, which will be in effect from Oct. 18 until Oct. 31.

In the first phase, a restriction limiting residents to a 1,000-meter radius of their homes will be lifted. Kindergartens and businesses that do not attend clients will be reopened, while restaurants will be allowed to sell only take-away orders.

Local lockdowns will still be imposed on "red" cities with high morbidity rates until midnight of Oct. 21, the Israeli special cabinet for handling the pandemic said. Enditem

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