Director General of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Hezi Levy, Delivered today (Thursday) a live broadcast, in which he referred to the increase in morbidity and guidelines for the third closure that is expected to take effect as early as Sunday: “We are not yet under the influence of the vaccine, we started it, but still in the midst blockade”. He also referred to the new mutation which has caused worldwide concern and clarified: “We do not know if it is related to an increase in morbidity, but it is under investigation.”
In his opening remarks, Levy mentioned that the current morbidity coefficient is 1.7, and repeated time and time again that the numbers are high and continue to climb, and for this purpose, the current closure was decided upon. “There is an increase in the number of deaths and we are increasing the number of hospitalized patients, including the most difficult. In light of this, the Ministry of Health has submitted a closure plan to the Cabinet, thinking that we need to lower morbidity levels again.”
“Some say – ‘Unnecessary closure, why do it?’, So according to experts, we are on a slippery slope and we will reach 9,000 verified in mid-January, as at the height of the second wave. We will reach the order of up to 1,800 critically ill patients. “During the closure, the activity of the resorts and hotels in Eilat and the Dead Sea, the Green Islands, will be stopped. Gatherings – ten people inside a room and 20 outside. As for transportation – we will reduce the number of passengers,” he said.
When asked – whether two weeks of closure will succeed in lowering the level of morbidity, Prof. Levy replied: “In my estimation, the closure will take the time required to reduce the morbidity to the dimensions we have defined. It has currently been decided on two weeks, Does not rule out the possibility that it will last longerHe added: “The closure will take place on Sunday from 17:00, and will last about two weeks, but it was and the level of morbidity will not reach the dimensions we wanted – 1,000 patients verified and the coefficient of infection below To 1, we may propose to extend it until these goals are reached. “
As for the education system he explained: “The education system will open its doors in kindergartens and preschool, also grades one through four, The Minister of Health, together with the Minister of Education, complied with the public’s demands. Although in practice had to operate until 13:00, are aware of the difficulty of the parents so we extended the hours. The other classes behaved as they would after the closure. Eleventh and twelfth grades will also study, this is happening because in about a month or two the matriculation exams will begin and we did not want to hurt the boys, let them prepare, but of course there will be strict conditions. “
The Director General of the Ministry of Health emphasized that: “Of course That all recreation and leisure will not work, trade will be closed from Sunday “In the evening and we are sorry about it and hurt it, know how difficult it is, only recently the malls, markets and street shops have opened,” he added.
Prof. Levy claimed at the end of his remarks: “The British mutation is disturbing, so we prevented the entry of people into the country, it worries us greatly and we are increasingly testing verified genetic verification, to see if it is the virus that has infected them. I do not know if it is related to an increase in morbidity in the country“But it’s definitely a possibility.”