While the number of contractors is increasing at an alarming rate, along with a surge in the number of serious patients across the country, Netanyahu warns of further epidemic expansion

• PM Netanyahu will enter the Corona Cabinet tomorrow

  Photo: 

  Mark Israel Salam

"All forecasts are bleak," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the opening of the cabinet meeting this morning (Sunday) regarding the Corona morbidity data in Israel. "If we don't take care of wearing masks and keeping distance - the closures will come back." The Corona Cabinet, which is expected to convene tomorrow, will discuss the steps needed to prevent further acute corona expansion across the country.

In the meantime, this morning the Ministry of Health contacted the hospitals and urged them to prepare immediately for the opening of the Corona wards in hospitals, due to the large increase in the rate of diagnosed infections in Israel.

"In light of a recent increase in the morbidity of the 19-covid corona virus in recent weeks, an increase in the number of hospitalized patients, an increase in the number of cumulative serious patients and an increase in the number of staff members present," the Ministry of Health said.

Reminder // Photo: Ami Shamir

She also noted that each hospital should be prepared for "immediate opening of a single hospital ward dedicated to Corona, according to the amount of patients / hospitalized in the area."

Dr. Erez Barnbaum, Director of the Assuta Ashdod Public Hospital, said of the Ministry of Health's request for hospitals to open the Corona Department: .

"At the same time, we are prepared and ready for any scenario, with the most experienced doctors and the most advanced equipment. At this time, the Ministry of Health does not refer us to Corona patients, but when necessary we will be happy to help with our experience and capabilities as needed," said Bernbaum.

On Friday, it was decided at Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba that due to an increase in the number of confirmed patients, the hospital will reopen the Corona Department. There are now 11 patients in the ward, one of whom is respiratory and one in serious condition.

"Clothespin may reduce epidemic scope"

A document released this morning by the Corona National Knowledge and Information Center argues that the infection is much larger in confined spaces, and that widespread wearing of face masks may lead to the spread of the virus.

According to the document, the duty of wearing a mask is a critical part of the fight against the virus, and even simple three-layer masks are sufficient to "significantly reduce the concentration of viruses in the air."

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According to the statement, "A proper, extensive and systematic ati on of masks can reduce the extent of morbidity in a short time and not a heavy economic cost to the population." The document recommends increased enforcement of the mask-wearing in public as well as increased public awareness effort on the importance of practice.

In a separate report, it was claimed that the corona virus infection is significantly higher in confined spaces.

The document encourages the public to prefer to hold events in open spaces rather than confined spaces, increase enforcement of masks' wear in confined spaces, create physical divisions in workplaces or studies and focus public information on the issue.