The announcement comes on the backdrop of the alarming rise in the number of patients and the increase in the number of patients suffering • New guidelines: Preparing to open one dedicated ward in each hospital and refreshing the protection guidelines for staffs • National Information and Knowledge Center report: Wearing masks can reduce the epidemic
Corona Department at Shamir Medical Center // Photo: Yossi Zeliger
The Ministry of Health contacted the hospitals this morning (Sunday) and urged them to prepare immediately for the opening of the Corona wards in the 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.
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."
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."
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.