How does the virus get infected? • Who should go into isolation? • How is a suspect isolated from infection in the shared home? • How will family members behave and who are caring for the isolates? • Everything you need to know about dealing with the corona eruption

It was expected that the Corona virus would eventually reach Israel as well, since this is a worldwide outbreak. However, despite all the precautionary measures taken by the Ministry of Health and the Government, a group of Korean tourists carried around the country whose members carried the virus. The infiltration of the virus into the "back door" country has managed to surprise the Israeli authorities and the entire public, who thought it would take several weeks before we had to deal with the virus in Israel.

Photo: GPO

After the virus is already here, a number of questions come up about the right way to cope, the most important of which are: What are the criteria that should concern us and make us notify the Ministry of Health of the concern we have been infected with? And as a result: who should enter the isolation, what is forbidden and what is allowed to do during the isolation in terms of contact with people, and whether we are entitled to receive compensation on these days as sickness or vacation days.

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How does the Corona virus get infected?

The virus passes from person to person with exposure to airway secretions, when sneezing or coughing. It is not yet known how infectious the disease is, but at this stage the level of infection seems to be at least similar to that of influenza virus. It is still unclear whether carriers can infect other people before the onset of symptoms, a condition known from other viral diseases.

Who should be in isolation?

Return from the Far East: from China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, Japan, or South Korea? The State of Israel has issued a special order requiring you to enter into self-isolation at the 14-day home from your departure from these states. The decision on home insulation for returnees is valid for those who landed in Israel from these countries as of February 16, 2020 at 12:00 noon. The isolation does not apply to those who were in these places during a continuation flight (Connection).

In addition, if you have been in contact with a person (proven) in Corona - these instructions apply to you as well. When touched, close contact is considered a stay of less than two meters for at least 15 minutes with a patient.

In these situations, you are required to report to the Ministry of Health about your arrival in Israel, or your exposure to patients with the disease, and can do so in one of the following ways: Reporting through a return destination or self-isolation form or reporting form to those who have come into contact with a patient, as well as through the Health Voice Call Center 5400 *.

How do you proceed if you have been in contact with a patient?

In the event of close contact with a verified patient with the disease, a home isolation must be entered in accordance with the guidelines and reported to the Ministry of Health as required by law through the online form or the call center "Voice of Health" 5400 *. At the same time, contact the attending physician or the HMO for consultation. If it has been decided that they were in close contact, they are required to follow the same guidelines as are recommended to the returnees.

How do you insulate your home?

Stay in a separate room from the rest of the family, which is well ventilated with a closed door. Exiting the room will only be necessary, and for as short a time as possible, while covering the mouth and nose with a nasal mask or cloth. If there are several isolates in the same house, they can stay together in the same room.

If all household members are required for insulation, there are no special restrictions within the home. You should also wash hands with soap and water or disinfect them with disinfectant before and after food preparation, before eating, and before and after using the toilet. It is best to use disposable papers to dry your hands. Whenever possible, separate services for isolators should be used. It is very important to keep your mouth and nose covered when sneezing or coughing, preferably into a disposable handkerchief or flexing elbow. Immediately afterwards, wash hands with soap and water or disinfect them with alcohol.

What about the rest of the family?

If the conditions of isolation are maintained, members of the home of those in isolation can continue their lives without any restriction.

How do you get into a room with an isolated patient?

The number of people who are not in isolation, who are in the home where there is an isolation room, should be reduced, with priority for one healthy person with no background disease. Visitors from outside the house are not allowed. Make sure the common home areas (such as kitchen and bathroom) are well ventilated. At the entrance to the isolation room, it is recommended to cover the mouth and nose, preferably with an oral mask, but the fabric can also be used. Disposable gloves are recommended for any contact with the insulator and the isolation room environment, including surfaces, clothing or dirty bedding.

It is advisable to avoid direct contact with the body fluids, especially the secretions of the mouth, urinary tract and excrement of the insulator. Wash hands with soap and water or disinfect them with alcoholic disinfectant after every contact with the insulator or his environment, before eating and after using the toilet. Flushing with soap and water should be preferred over disinfectant if the hands have visible dirt. Every day, surfaces such as a bedside table, bed frame, and other furniture in the insulation room should be cleaned and disinfected with normal household disinfectant (soap or alcohol based). All insulated laundry must be stored in a dedicated bag in the insulation room by the time of washing. The laundry can be done with regular laundry soap.

How are waste treated by insulators handled?

Disposable products such as gloves, handkerchiefs, masks and any other waste should be disposed of in a dedicated bag in the isolation room. The bag must be sealed well before being disposed of in the trash. Shared use with the insulator should be avoided with objects that can transmit the virus, such as: toothbrush, cigarettes, crockery, towels, linens and the like. You can wash dinnerware with water and soap. All household members should be careful about hand washing frequently.

What happens if you feel bad during the isolation?

In the event of a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, you should contact MDA hotline 101 (not to reach a health clinic or emergency room). If necessary, a paramedic will come to your home to perform laboratory tests and recommend continued treatment, according to your doctor's decision.

What is the status in the isolation days in terms of work?

Absence from work during the incubation period shall be considered absent due to illness as stipulated in the Ministry of Health's order, subject to presentation of confirmation of the date of departure from China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, South Korea and Japan. Family physicians should not be contacted for sick leave for absence.

How many patients are there in isolation in Israel?

Currently, two viruses infected during the cruise ship were discovered in Japan. These two people are in isolation, but neither has a disease. In fact, in Israel, there are currently no patients in Corona and no other subjects are known beyond the two Israelis who are in isolation at the Sheba hospital facility.

How many Israelis are in isolation?

About 300 people are in solitary confinement because of contact with the Korean group and another 400 because of previous instructions.