The number of patients doubling in the city is 2.7 times - the highest in the country • In recent days, tests have been conducted to find patients in the city • A new procedure has been decided in the Ministry of Health for testing

In the southern city, 17 patients from several families belonging to a certain neighborhood and tribe were diagnosed in the past week. According to data from the Corona City Information and Information Research Campaign, there are 22 active patients. About a week ago there were 10 patients and in the last week another 17 were added. This is a doubling ratio of 2.7, which is the highest in the country now among large communities.

Despite the recommendation of the professionals, there is currently no recommendation to close the neighborhood where there is expansion as was done in neighborhoods in other localities with a similar doubling ratio in Hura, Netivot or Beit Shemesh.

The Ministry of Health estimates that the source of the outbreak is infection within one of the tribes, from person to person, including at weddings that took place and due to the lack of adherence to physical remediation procedures and masking. In recent days, Leumi has established an inspection post in the locality and today (Tuesday) the general has joined.         

Prof. Hagai Levin, chairman of the Association of Public Health Doctors: "It is important to respond strictly in the event of a local outbreak. At the discretion of the responsible physician and in coordination with all parties. This is so that we can hold events and adopt less stringent policies than the rest of the country. At morbidity, access should be more stringent. "

In the meantime, after a meeting of the CEOs of the four health funds with Health Minister Yuli Edelstein, a new procedure for corona testing was decided. The minister announced the extension of the tests and a procedure written by Prof. Sigal Sadecki from the Ministry of Health, but did not mention important points such as the examination Corona at the discretion of a treating physician and examining corona for residents of institutions who did not experience symptoms.

New Corona Testing Guidelines:

• Anyone with symptoms who has been in close contact with a verified patient
• Anyone with symptoms of the disease who came to the hospital
• Anyone with symptoms in the community - at the discretion of the attending physician / HMO, with an emphasis on adults 18 and older
• Family members of a verified patient, whether they have symptoms or not, will be examined on the day of the home member’s verification and another 5-day examination.
• Asymptomatic who have been in close contact with a verified patient in institutional housing (sheltered housing, nursing wards, home-based welfare services, etc.) as well as in schools (in the same class, in shared transport and in some cases even at school)
• All populations determined for them to be tested
• Any other case for the discretion of the attending physician