“The patient tells me – save me”
(Photo: Nitzan Dror)
At the beginning of December there were “only” 277 critically ill patients. The underground hospital in Rambam
( Photo: Rambam spokeswoman)
Data from the Ministry of Health show that 76% of patients with a severe condition are aged 60 and over. 6.3% of them aged 90 and over, 21.3% aged 80 to 89, 26.7% aged 70 to 79 and 22.7% aged 60 to 69. The data also show that 14.6% of patients with a severe condition are aged 50 to 59, 5.4% aged 40 to 49 And 2.1% aged 30 to 39. Four young people in their 20s – three men and a woman – are also hospitalized in critical condition, as are three girls aged 10 to 19 and two girls under the age of 10.
This is, as mentioned, a sharp jump in the number of serious patients. At the beginning of January, their number was 735 and at the beginning of December, 277. The previous record, before the current wave, was recorded on October 4, when there were 898 patients in critical condition around the country.
The number of respirators is also approaching new highs, standing at 240 this morning. 76% of respirators are aged 60 and over. 3.4% aged 90 and over, 11.4% aged 80 to 89, 28.7% aged 70 to 79 and 32.5% aged 60 to 69. The data also show that 15.4% of respirators are aged 50 to 59, 5.9% aged 40 to 49 and 1.6 % Aged 30 to 39. In addition, a young man in his 20s is hospitalized and two girls who have not yet turned 10 when connected to the soul machines. Most respirators are also defined as critically ill.
In addition, data from the Ministry of Health show that the majority of respirators (69.6%) are men, compared with 30.4% women.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein is currently assessing the situation with senior officials of his ministry on the continuation of the Ministry of Health’s “Returning to Life” operation. According to the Ministry of Health, more than 72% of those aged 60 and over have already received the first dose of the vaccine.
In addition, and ahead of the landing of significant amounts of vaccines today and in the coming days, the Minister instructed the ministry staff to examine the possibility of vaccinations also at night to allow for vaccination as quickly as possible. Ministry officials presented to the minister the priorities set as well as the teaching staff vaccination campaign, which is scheduled to take place Wednesday-Friday this week. According to Edelstein, “By the end of March, we will be able to vaccinate about five million citizens in the first dose.” He added that even as vaccines open up to more populations, priority should continue to be given to vaccinated older people.
Today at 09:00 in the morning, dozens of police checkpoints were deployed throughout the country in order to enforce the closure and curb morbidity. Schools and kindergartens remained closed, and citizens who were not defined as vital did not go to work. In accordance with police policy designed to facilitate getting to and from work, the checkpoints will be removed at 3:30 p.m. and resumed at 6:00 p.m. Police on mobile and motorcycles patrol regardless of the deployment of checkpoints, “in order to continue the sequence of supervision and enforcement around the clock.”
Loads and Barriers: Enforcement of the Third Closure
(Photo: Nadav Abs)
Checkpoint in Tel Aviv
(Photo: Moti Kimhi)
The closure, which took effect at midnight between Thursday and Friday, was supposed to last two weeks, but senior officials in the Ministry of Health estimated that it might be extended in light of theSevere morbidity. The restrictions include the closure of the education system except for special education and closed boarding schools, the closure of trade and business and the closure of workplaces other than those defined as essential. Synagogues were also closed and prayer was allowed in open areas only.
In addition, it is forbidden to stay in someone else’s house. Sports, with the exception of individual sports, are allowed without distance. Hairdressers and beauty salons, hotels and B & Bs, zoos, nature reserves and museums have closed. Complementary medicine was exempted from the prohibitions. Flights abroad are prohibited, but anyone who purchased a ticket before entering the closure is allowed to fly.
Departure from the country after the closure is possible only after receiving approval from the Exceptions Committee of the Ministry of Health. Entry into the country from “dangerous countries” (which have not yet been defined) will also be allowed after ten days in solitary confinement and subject to two negative tests, in order to prevent the spread of the British and South African mutations.
Similar to previous closures, supermarkets, pharmacies and bakeries, remained open. The restaurants and eateries operate in a delivery format. Exit from the house is allowed up to a kilometer away, gatherings are allowed up to five people indoors and up to ten people in an open place. In addition, public transportation operates at a 50% occupancy rate. Demonstrations are allowed while maintaining distance and wearing a mask. The courts are working and receiving medical or social care and transferring minors between divorced parents is a luxury. Weddings, alliances, bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs are allowed in the presence of the nuclear family while maintaining the limit of gatherings.
As part of the enforcement of the closure last weekend, the police located an engagement party in the Ben Shemen forest with the participation of about 20 people. Police officers, who spotted tables set up at the scene with a lot of food and alcohol, recorded reports to participants and the incident was stopped. Also, one driver was caught driving under the influence of alcohol.
A gathering of about 30 worshipers was found in Matityahu’s tomb, contrary to instructions, in addition to a large amount of alcohol. Police recorded reports to participants for breach of closure and failure to wear masks, and the crowd dispersed.