Is the closure close? 2,821 new verified

The Corona Cabinet will convene this morning (Monday) for another discussion regarding the imposition of additional restrictions following the exacerbation of the Corona virus in Israel. The Ministry of Health updated this morning that yesterday 2,821 new verified patients were diagnosed in 70,575 tests. The positive test rate now stands at 4.1%. The death toll: 3,101.

At a meeting to be held today at 10:30 a.m., the cabinet is expected to discuss a ban on entry into Israel for foreign residents, except for diplomats and humanitarian cases. The possibility of isolating anyone who comes to Israel, as was the case in the first wave, will also be raised in the discussion. However, at the moment we do not intend to talk about the closure of the airport – but about the mutation that was discovered in the UK and its consequences.

The updated morbidity data published this morning by the Ministry of Health shows that the number of active patients has risen to 24,992, including 456 patients in critical condition, 117 respirators, and 149 whose condition is defined as moderate. In the last two days, there has been a decrease in the number of patients in critical condition: on Saturday the number was 473, and yesterday 464 patients were reported.

A woman undergoes a corona examination in Modi'in, last week // Photo: Jonathan Shaul

In addition, there are 2,587 verified and isolated health staff members: 387 physicians, 717 nurses, and 1,483 in other professions.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last night, after six hours of discussions in the Corona Cabinet, that a closure was being considered as a tool to stop the plague. According to him, the mutation of the corona virus discovered in the UK should affect the necessary steps. However, this is not an immediate decision but an initial proposal, and the chances that such a closure will indeed be imposed in the coming days are low. In addition, in light of the cabinet ministers’ opposition even to tight restraint, it is doubtful whether a majority will be found to support the closure.

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