Is Corona back? The obligation to wear masks in closed spaces will continue

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is consulting with Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz and senior officials of his ministry following the increase in infection rates. The discussion presented the morbidity data in Israel as well as the morbidity situation in the world, with an emphasis on the focal points of the outbreak in China and Hong Kong. The discussion presented the information currently available on the BA2 strain and the combined strain of the Omicron.
At the end of the discussion, it was decided that the obligation to wear masks in closed spaces would continue at this stage and be re-examined in preparation for Passover. In addition, it was decided to continue the activities of the Magen Avot project to preserve the elderly populations in Israel, accelerate and expand the deployment of HEPA air filters in classrooms in the education system, verify the stock of vaccines and drugs for the possibility of severe corona strain, if discovered, and continue information efforts to encourage three vaccine Among populations that have not yet done so.
Against the background of the moderate increase in coronary heart disease, the Ministry of Health clarified today (Wednesday) that new restrictions are not currently on the table, and that the focus is expected to occur on encouraging the fourth vaccine in parallel with further monitoring of the data.
The discussion was attended by the Director General of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Nachman Ash, the head of public health services, Dr. Sharon Elrai Price, the corona projector, Prof. Salman Zarka, the deputy head of the National Security Council, Eitan Ben David, the commander of the Home Front Command, Uri Gordin. Security and other professionals.
Sources in the Ministry of Health clarified that the rising trend in morbidity may continue and even intensify after Purim, but they say this is not a new wave but an increase that occurs following the removal of restrictions, including the assumption that people are less careful about wearing masks indoors and away.
However, the abolition of the obligation to wear masks may be postponed, although the move was planned to take effect around Passover. "There is no reason to panic," Minister Horowitz wrote this morning on his Twitter account. "Just keep being careful, masks and vaccines, especially in the adult population." Currently, no date has been set for the meeting of the epidemic treatment team (ZTM), which tends to convene from time to time for the purpose of formulating recommendations for its management.
"I think there is a certain increase in morbidity," said Dr. Tal Brosh, director of the Infectious Diseases Unit at Assuta Ashdod Public Hospital and the IDF Center. "However, I do not know how to predict it. I think it is related to the removal of restrictions or the spread of the combined variant. High-risk people should be vaccinated at the best level possible, and it is currently four doses.
"There are very good treatments today if you 'catch' someone at the beginning of their illness, but for that you need to be tested quickly. Anyone who has a runny nose or fever these days - the most likely scenario is that he has corona, and if he is at high risk he should receive treatment that prevents The complications. At the policy level, in my opinion, it is too early to change anything in this way at this stage. "
According to data from the Ministry of Health, the infection rate has risen to 0.9 in recent days, along with an increase in the number of verified. However, the rate of positive tests remains stable and stands at about 10% -15% daily. The number of patients in critical condition hospitalized also continues to decline and stands at 335, compared to over 1,200 at the peak of the current wave of morbidity.
151 of the critically ill are connected to respirators. Yesterday, 21 new serious patients were added - very far from the data of the fifth wave record, in which 230 serious patients were hospitalized in one day. Since the outbreak of the plague, 10,401 corona patients have died in Israel, 157 of them this month. Since the beginning of the year, 2,143 corona patients have died in Israel.
246 of the more severe patients are over 60 years old, and data from the Ministry of Health show that the chance of developing a serious illness among the unvaccinated is 9 times higher than those vaccinated at these ages and slightly more than 2 times among those under 60.
This morning, the Ministry of Health announced a new strain of Corona that was discovered among two passengers who recently returned to Israel via Ben Gurion Airport.
The ministry clarified that in both cases the passengers suffered from only mild symptoms of fever, headaches and muscle aches - and did not need a special medical response. "The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the results of the flooring, and will continue to update as needed."