The number of active patients in Israel is 23,926 • 198 In critical condition, the death toll stands at 373 people • Despite the removal of the closure: 28% positive tests in Beitar Illit

• Photo: 

  Yossi Zeliger

 1,758 new patients in Corona - This is the latest figure for the number of patients added in the last day (since yesterday at midnight) in Israel. Against the background of this figure, which is considered particularly high, there is also an increase in the number of tests, which stand at 24,892 in the last day. 

According to data published this morning (Thursday) by the National Knowledge and Information Center for the Battle of Corona, the number of active patients is 23,926. The death toll so far from the disease is 373, and 20,179 people have recovered from the virus.   

The main sources of illness continue to be Jerusalem, Lod, Ramla, Beit Shemesh, Kiryat Malachi and Ramla. Yavneel, Beitar Illit, Bnei Brak and Kalenswa are also defined as centers of illness that require "information, testing and enforcement of isolation."   

Although the closure on Betar Illit was lifted yesterday, the percentage of positive tests in it is still particularly high compared to the other localities - 28%. 

Other localities in which the percentage of people found positive in the Corona tests was high in the last seven days: Yavneel (20%) ), Emanuel (24%), Communism (35%) and Foundations (26%).    

The director general of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Hezi Levy, said this morning in an interview with the GLC: "I will advocate the tightening of restrictions in today's discussion, including the prevention of gatherings at all costs. Closing on weekends only is not a serious matter." 

New Ministry of Health directive: Reducing tests for asymptomatic people 

The Ministry of Health announced yesterday new guidelines for HMOs not to perform corona tests for people who show no symptoms, except in cases where they have been at home with a verified patient or are defined as a population at risk. According to the document, the decision was made to streamline HMO tests. Regarding the rest of the tests remained unchanged. 

Director General of the Ministry of Health in a message to the public: "Going to the gym - danger" // Photo: Yoni Rickner

Regarding people who do not show symptoms, known as 'asymptomatic' patients, tests will be performed in special cases: when it is a person who moves to an institution or frame of a at-risk population such as nursing homes or a nursing home or alternatively in the case of a person who returned to the frame after leaving.

Special tests will also be conducted in places where there is no access to medical institutions or with low access to medical services when there is a concern that there is a high chance of illness such as overcrowded conditions. It also shows that people who are in isolation according to GSS characteristics or after being exposed to a verified patient but show no symptoms - are not required to undergo a test unless they have developed symptoms during the days of isolation. In special cases, tests will only be approved by the district physician.

The document also specifies the amount of daily allocation of the HMOs according to the following division: 2,500 to Clalit HMO, 1,250 to Maccabi HMO, 750 to Meuhedet and 500 to Leumit.

Meanwhile, the Nurses' Federation announced yesterday that it will move to work in an emergency format due to a lack of standards during the Corona crisis starting this coming Monday. The statement said the strike had been declared out of "national responsibility, to stop the collapse of the brothers and sisters and save lives."

Histadrut chairman Ilana Cohen wrote: "It seems that in the test of action the Ministry of Finance is not doing enough to make human life and public health a priority, and therefore unfortunately we have no choice but to take organizational measures before having to deal with immoral and inhumane decisions. - To whom to give appropriate treatment and to whom not. The loss of the ability to provide adequate care to the citizens of Israel will cost many lives - and we are not prepared to be part of this conduct. "