Health Minister Edelstein: Change in the Corona tests - they will be done to people without symptoms

Health Minister Yuli Edelstein announced a policy change in the Corona inspections. A statement to the media made it clear that from now on, tests across the country will be expanded even without the detection of symptoms, and not just in schools as has been the case until now.
"People without symptoms who have been in close contact with a verified patient at school, people without symptoms who have been in close contact with a verified patient as part of an institutional discussion - protected housing and the like, and at the discretion of the attending physician - I allow any physician to send a person who complains or claims to have been in contact ", The minister said. He added that the tests would continue for the special populations, "in accordance with the Ministry of Health's special cases."
Following the outbreak of the Corona at the Hebrew Gymnasium High School in Jerusalem, the minister said the infection indicates a broader symptom occurring in other schools. He said, "It's no secret that the incident at the school in Jerusalem is very worrying for us. The numbers are worrying due to themselves, but in all our meetings the conclusion is that this is a symptom of something broader happening in a number of schools."
His announcement of expanding the policy of conducting the tests runs counter to the position of senior health officials, who say it makes no sense to check for symptoms. Last March, the head of public health services, Professor Sigal Sadecki, stated that "98% of those who have fever and cough, probably do not have corona. It makes no sense at all to check them." The remarks were made against allegations raised by public health experts who said the tests should also be extended to citizens who have not come in contact with a verified patient.
Edelstein emphasized that due to developments, the Ministry of Health does not intend to change the rules of isolation. "There will be no situation for someone who has been in contact with patients, tested and left out - to exempt themselves from isolation. We will do the tests, but it does not change the fact that the symptoms develop in everyone at a different rate. It can definitely be the case that someone gets infected and develop symptoms after a few days." said.
He also said test data showed that out of 2,800 tests performed, 53 new patients had been diagnosed. "There has often been a question about the amount of tests. It's no secret that there is disagreement among professionals about the need to expand the tests.
Regarding the claims that people who requested to be examined were not examined, Edelstein said, "We are also addressing this issue and are implementing the policy we are leading here. We will continue to be in touch with the health funds to ensure that what we present here is realized in the field."
He said that despite the efforts of the authorities and the government, if the population did not cooperate, the virus would not pass away. "The most accurate guidelines and the best work there are, we cannot do anything without the cooperation of the population," the minister emphasized. "There are no more or less important populations. The entire population is asked to cooperate. Not wanting to learn all the procedures and small letters. Putting on a mask, keeping a distance, maintaining hygiene - very simple things that every child knows how to do. It can help us a lot."
The Hebrew high school in Jerusalem has so far infected 134 people, including 116 students and 18 teaching staff. Also, four parents of sick children were found to be positive for the virus.
Education Minister Yoav Galant last night held a state of affairs due to the Corona outbreak in the education system. During the meeting, a decision was made to carry out sample tests in the education system, which would also contribute to a national picture. Also, a provincial intervention team will be set up to pop up for each infection event. The team will conduct an on-the-spot check, as well as an investigation by the Ministry of Health, and examine the circumstances of the event and the degree of adherence to the guidelines: wearing masks, personal hygiene, maintenance and cleaning, and more. In addition, Minister Galant instructed the gymnasium to investigate the event through a special staff of the Ministry, in parallel with the Ministry of Health investigation.
The Ministry of Health released updated morbidity data in Corona this evening, which shows that the number of patients in the last day increased by 53 to 17,071, of which 1,994 were active patients and 30 were respiratory. The death toll from the virus rose to 285 in the last day, and 14,792 patients recovered and released to their homes.
Chairman of the Microbiologists, Biochemists and Laboratory Staff, Esther Edmon, joined in the reinforcement. Edmon said she "welcomes the Ministry of Health and Minister Yuli Edelstein for the clear policy, which was finally resolved this evening, regarding the testing policy. Now, this positive spirit has to reach both the treasury and the employers in the hospitals and the checkouts, to allow laboratories to return to work in an emergency, around the clock, and to meet the national mission of deciphering many thousands of tests to identify the corona virus every day. "