10 mar 2020
Health authorities confirm host of fresh cases of Israelis who have tested positive for pathogen; Nine-year-old child who returned from Madrid also among newly-diagnosed patients
The Health Ministry confirmed on Tuesday over a dozen new cases of Israelis who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, bringing the country's sick count to 75.
Patient No. 59 is a 60-year-old man who traveled to Spain with Iberia flight IB3317 that departed on February 28 at 6am and returned with Arkia flight 4XAGK that landed in Israel on March 2 at 11:30pm.
The man traveled by train from Ben Gurion Airport, where he and his family traveled alone in the wagon, to his home in Be'er Sheva, where he has been staying in quarantine since March 5.
Patient No. 60 is a 29-year-old man from Jerusalem who traveled to Germany with Lufthansa flight 687 that departed on March 4 and landed in Frankfurt 4:25pm, he then traveled to Prague on March 5 and went back to Israel on Israir flight H67762, which landed at Ben Gurion Airport on March 9 at 4:25am.
Patient No. 61 is a man in his 60s from central Israel who traveled from Tel Aviv to Zurich with Swiss flight LX257 on February 25 at 5:20am, from Zurich to Tenerife with Edelweiss flight WK214 on February 25 at 9:30am and returned from Tenerife to Zurich with Edelweiss flight WK215 on March 3 at 2pm and from Zurich to Israel with Swiss flight LX256 on March 3 at 10:40pm.
The epidemiological report shows the patient was at the following locations after his return to Israel:
-Rami Levy supermarket in Sha'ar Binyamin Industrial Zone on March 4 between 4:30pm and 6:30pm.
-Rom Optic in Pisgat Ze'ev on March 6 between 12pm and 12:10pm.
-Maayan 2000 supermarket in Pisgat Ze'ev on March 6 between 12:10pm and 12:15pm.
-Kashtan Deli in Pisgat Ze'ev on March 6 between 12:20pm and 12:30pm.
The patient has been in self-quarantine since March 6.
Patient No. 62 is a 68-year-old man from northern Israel who traveled to Tenerife. He took off from Tel Aviv to Madrid with El Al flight LY395 on February 19 at 6:15am. He then traveled from Madrid to Tenerife with Iberia flight i3926 on February 22 at 8:00pm.
On February 29, he took a flight back from Tenerife to Madrid on Iberia flight i3939, which took off at 7:00pm. He then took El Al flight LY396 from Madrid to Israel which took off on March 1 at 12:30pm.
These are the hotels the patient stayed at:
-On February 22-28, H10 Tenerife Playa Hotel.
-On February 29, Hotel CLEMENT Barajas in Madrid.
The epidemiological report shows the patient was at the following locations after his return to Israel:
March 2:
-Super Market King Store in Karmiel between 10:00am and 12:00pm.
-The voting station in Yuvalim between 12pm and 12:30pm.
-Vivino Restaurant in Karmiel between 1:45pm and 4pm.
March 3:
-Misgav Country Club between 11:30am and 12:00pm.
-Pizza Metayalet Pizzeria in Rakefet between 2:30pm and 2:45pm.
-The Duke Pub in Haifa between 8:00pm and 10:00pm.
March 4:
-Misgav Country Club between 11:00am and 15:15pm.
-The McDonald's in Karmiel between 3:00pm and 4:00pm.
March 5:
-The American Embassy in Tel Aviv between 10:30am and 12:30pm.
-Pri Va'Yerek grocery store in Tamra between 1:30pm and 2:00pm.
-Pizza Metayalet Pizzeria in Rakefet between 2:30pm and 2:45pm.
The patient has been in self-quarantine since March 5 at 5:00pm.
Patient No. 63 is a man in his 40s from central Israel who traveled to Zurich with Swiss flight LX253 that departed on February 28 at 4pm and returned with Swiss flight LX256 that landed in Israel on March 6 at 3am. The man entered home quarantine upon his arrival.
Patient No. 64 is a 23-year-old man from central Israel who traveled to Madrid and has been in self-quarantine since his return on March 9. He took off from Tel Aviv to Madrid with Norweigan Airlines flight D85671 on March 2 at 12:45pm. On March 9, he took a flight back from Madrid to Tel Aviv on Norweigan Airlines flight D85670, which took off at 6:30am.
Patient No. 65 is a man in his 30s from central Israel. He took off from Tel Aviv to Istanbul with Pegasus flight 780PC on February 29 at 7:20am. He then traveled from Istanbul to Geneva with Pegasus flight 953PC on February 29 at 1:30pm. On March 7, he took a flight back from Geneva to Istanbul on Pegasus flight 954PC, which took off at 3:35pm. He then took Pegasus flight 779PC from Istanbul to Israel which took off at 11pm, and landed on March 8 at 12:10am. He then took an airport shuttle to the parking lot in Ben Gurion Airport at 1:00am. The patient has been in self-quarantine since March 8.
Patient No. 66 is a nine-year-old from central Israel. He took off from Tel Aviv to Madrid on February 27 at 4:05pm. He then traveled from Madrid to Tel Aviv on March 2 at 9:05am.
The epidemiological reports of patients 71-75 are still unavailable.
The Health Ministry confirmed on Tuesday over a dozen new cases of Israelis who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, bringing the country's sick count to 75.
Patient No. 59 is a 60-year-old man who traveled to Spain with Iberia flight IB3317 that departed on February 28 at 6am and returned with Arkia flight 4XAGK that landed in Israel on March 2 at 11:30pm.
The man traveled by train from Ben Gurion Airport, where he and his family traveled alone in the wagon, to his home in Be'er Sheva, where he has been staying in quarantine since March 5.
Patient No. 60 is a 29-year-old man from Jerusalem who traveled to Germany with Lufthansa flight 687 that departed on March 4 and landed in Frankfurt 4:25pm, he then traveled to Prague on March 5 and went back to Israel on Israir flight H67762, which landed at Ben Gurion Airport on March 9 at 4:25am.
Patient No. 61 is a man in his 60s from central Israel who traveled from Tel Aviv to Zurich with Swiss flight LX257 on February 25 at 5:20am, from Zurich to Tenerife with Edelweiss flight WK214 on February 25 at 9:30am and returned from Tenerife to Zurich with Edelweiss flight WK215 on March 3 at 2pm and from Zurich to Israel with Swiss flight LX256 on March 3 at 10:40pm.
The epidemiological report shows the patient was at the following locations after his return to Israel:
-Rami Levy supermarket in Sha'ar Binyamin Industrial Zone on March 4 between 4:30pm and 6:30pm.
-Rom Optic in Pisgat Ze'ev on March 6 between 12pm and 12:10pm.
-Maayan 2000 supermarket in Pisgat Ze'ev on March 6 between 12:10pm and 12:15pm.
-Kashtan Deli in Pisgat Ze'ev on March 6 between 12:20pm and 12:30pm.
The patient has been in self-quarantine since March 6.
Patient No. 62 is a 68-year-old man from northern Israel who traveled to Tenerife. He took off from Tel Aviv to Madrid with El Al flight LY395 on February 19 at 6:15am. He then traveled from Madrid to Tenerife with Iberia flight i3926 on February 22 at 8:00pm.
On February 29, he took a flight back from Tenerife to Madrid on Iberia flight i3939, which took off at 7:00pm. He then took El Al flight LY396 from Madrid to Israel which took off on March 1 at 12:30pm.
These are the hotels the patient stayed at:
-On February 22-28, H10 Tenerife Playa Hotel.
-On February 29, Hotel CLEMENT Barajas in Madrid.
The epidemiological report shows the patient was at the following locations after his return to Israel:
March 2:
-Super Market King Store in Karmiel between 10:00am and 12:00pm.
-The voting station in Yuvalim between 12pm and 12:30pm.
-Vivino Restaurant in Karmiel between 1:45pm and 4pm.
March 3:
-Misgav Country Club between 11:30am and 12:00pm.
-Pizza Metayalet Pizzeria in Rakefet between 2:30pm and 2:45pm.
-The Duke Pub in Haifa between 8:00pm and 10:00pm.
March 4:
-Misgav Country Club between 11:00am and 15:15pm.
-The McDonald's in Karmiel between 3:00pm and 4:00pm.
March 5:
-The American Embassy in Tel Aviv between 10:30am and 12:30pm.
-Pri Va'Yerek grocery store in Tamra between 1:30pm and 2:00pm.
-Pizza Metayalet Pizzeria in Rakefet between 2:30pm and 2:45pm.
The patient has been in self-quarantine since March 5 at 5:00pm.
Patient No. 63 is a man in his 40s from central Israel who traveled to Zurich with Swiss flight LX253 that departed on February 28 at 4pm and returned with Swiss flight LX256 that landed in Israel on March 6 at 3am. The man entered home quarantine upon his arrival.
Patient No. 64 is a 23-year-old man from central Israel who traveled to Madrid and has been in self-quarantine since his return on March 9. He took off from Tel Aviv to Madrid with Norweigan Airlines flight D85671 on March 2 at 12:45pm. On March 9, he took a flight back from Madrid to Tel Aviv on Norweigan Airlines flight D85670, which took off at 6:30am.
Patient No. 65 is a man in his 30s from central Israel. He took off from Tel Aviv to Istanbul with Pegasus flight 780PC on February 29 at 7:20am. He then traveled from Istanbul to Geneva with Pegasus flight 953PC on February 29 at 1:30pm. On March 7, he took a flight back from Geneva to Istanbul on Pegasus flight 954PC, which took off at 3:35pm. He then took Pegasus flight 779PC from Istanbul to Israel which took off at 11pm, and landed on March 8 at 12:10am. He then took an airport shuttle to the parking lot in Ben Gurion Airport at 1:00am. The patient has been in self-quarantine since March 8.
Patient No. 66 is a nine-year-old from central Israel. He took off from Tel Aviv to Madrid on February 27 at 4:05pm. He then traveled from Madrid to Tel Aviv on March 2 at 9:05am.
The epidemiological reports of patients 71-75 are still unavailable.
New guidelines come following all-embracing government directive for all arrivals from overseas, nationals and non-nationals, to self-quarantine regardless of port of origin
Israeli authorities have introduced on Tuesday a host of new directives aimed at fighting the spread of the novel coronavirus across the country.
The Health Ministry tightened its restrictions on the number of participants in public events, further reducing the maximum attendance allowed from 5,000 people to 2,000 people, while also urging the public to reconsider holding mass gatherings of any kind.
The ministry also advises the public to refrain from visiting hospitals, nursing homes or any other location where senior citizens may be found.
“The Health Ministry recommends that the elderly population, especially those with a history of health problems, reduce contact with [members of the general public] as possible while still maintaining their routine,” the ministry said in a statement.
The Welfare Ministry also announced earlier Tuesday that visiting nursing homes will be barred indefinitely in light of the virus outbreak.
“Due to the vulnerability of the elderly population and the need to maintain their health, family visits will only be allowed to take place outside the nursing homes,” the ministry said.
Israel Police announced that it will receive all information on nationals returning to the country to assist its units in enforcing the mandatory 14-day home quarantine for all arrivals from overseas.
In addition, Israel Police and the Health Ministry have set up designated task forces, consisting of police officers and health inspectors to prevent quarantine violations.
Also, passengers arriving from abroad will no longer be allowed to use the Ben Gurion Airport train station starting Wednesday, Israel Railways announced on Tuesday.
The station will still be available for airport workers as well as Israelis traveling within the country who will be required to show their plane ticket before being allowed into the station.
Earlier Tuesday, the Health Ministry confirmed that eight more Israelis have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, bringing the country's total number of cases to 58.
Five of the patients have recently returned from overseas, while three others have contracted the virus after coming in direct contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient.
Israel has taken some of the most extreme precautions to prevent a local coronavirus outbreak, forcing tens of thousands of Israeli travelers returning from a host of destinations in Asia and Europe into home quarantine.
On Monday, the government said any person entering the country from abroad, whether an Israeli national or not, must spend two weeks in quarantine.
Israeli authorities have introduced on Tuesday a host of new directives aimed at fighting the spread of the novel coronavirus across the country.
The Health Ministry tightened its restrictions on the number of participants in public events, further reducing the maximum attendance allowed from 5,000 people to 2,000 people, while also urging the public to reconsider holding mass gatherings of any kind.
The ministry also advises the public to refrain from visiting hospitals, nursing homes or any other location where senior citizens may be found.
“The Health Ministry recommends that the elderly population, especially those with a history of health problems, reduce contact with [members of the general public] as possible while still maintaining their routine,” the ministry said in a statement.
The Welfare Ministry also announced earlier Tuesday that visiting nursing homes will be barred indefinitely in light of the virus outbreak.
“Due to the vulnerability of the elderly population and the need to maintain their health, family visits will only be allowed to take place outside the nursing homes,” the ministry said.
Israel Police announced that it will receive all information on nationals returning to the country to assist its units in enforcing the mandatory 14-day home quarantine for all arrivals from overseas.
In addition, Israel Police and the Health Ministry have set up designated task forces, consisting of police officers and health inspectors to prevent quarantine violations.
Also, passengers arriving from abroad will no longer be allowed to use the Ben Gurion Airport train station starting Wednesday, Israel Railways announced on Tuesday.
The station will still be available for airport workers as well as Israelis traveling within the country who will be required to show their plane ticket before being allowed into the station.
Earlier Tuesday, the Health Ministry confirmed that eight more Israelis have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, bringing the country's total number of cases to 58.
Five of the patients have recently returned from overseas, while three others have contracted the virus after coming in direct contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient.
Israel has taken some of the most extreme precautions to prevent a local coronavirus outbreak, forcing tens of thousands of Israeli travelers returning from a host of destinations in Asia and Europe into home quarantine.
On Monday, the government said any person entering the country from abroad, whether an Israeli national or not, must spend two weeks in quarantine.
Station to remain open for airport workers and passengers traveling within the country; workers' union welcomes decision, says enforcement must be upheld
As efforts to stymie the spread of the coronavirus press on, passengers arriving from abroad will no longer be allowed to use the Ben Gurion Airport train station starting Wednesday, Israel Railways announced on Tuesday.
The new directive comes following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Monday announcement that all arrivals from abroad must self-quarantine for 14 days from the date of arrival, regardless of their port of origin.
The station will still be available for airport workers as well as Israelis traveling within the country who will be required to show their plane ticket before being allowed into the station.
The Railway Workers' Union welcomed the decision, saying that the enforcement of the new directive should be given the proper tools to ensure its success.
Earlier Tuesday, the Health Ministry confirmed that eight more Israelis have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, bringing the country's total number of cases to 58.
Five of the patients have recently returned from overseas, while three others have contracted the virus after coming in direct contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient.
Israel has taken some of the most extreme precautions to prevent a local coronavirus outbreak, forcing tens of thousands of Israeli travelers returning from a host of destinations in Asia and Europe into home quarantine.
On Monday, the government said any person entering the country from abroad, whether an Israeli national or not, must spend two weeks in quarantine.
As efforts to stymie the spread of the coronavirus press on, passengers arriving from abroad will no longer be allowed to use the Ben Gurion Airport train station starting Wednesday, Israel Railways announced on Tuesday.
The new directive comes following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Monday announcement that all arrivals from abroad must self-quarantine for 14 days from the date of arrival, regardless of their port of origin.
The station will still be available for airport workers as well as Israelis traveling within the country who will be required to show their plane ticket before being allowed into the station.
The Railway Workers' Union welcomed the decision, saying that the enforcement of the new directive should be given the proper tools to ensure its success.
Earlier Tuesday, the Health Ministry confirmed that eight more Israelis have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, bringing the country's total number of cases to 58.
Five of the patients have recently returned from overseas, while three others have contracted the virus after coming in direct contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient.
Israel has taken some of the most extreme precautions to prevent a local coronavirus outbreak, forcing tens of thousands of Israeli travelers returning from a host of destinations in Asia and Europe into home quarantine.
On Monday, the government said any person entering the country from abroad, whether an Israeli national or not, must spend two weeks in quarantine.
Health authorities confirm three fresh cases of Israelis who have tested positive for pathogen; all newly-diagnosed patients have recently returned from overseas
Another three Israelis have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, bringing the country's total number of cases to 61, the Health Ministry confirmed on Tuesday.
All three newly-diagnosed patients have recently returned from overseas.
Patient No. 59 is a 60-year-old man who traveled to Spain with Iberia flight IB3317 that departed on February 28 at 6am and returned with Arkia flight 4XAGK that landed in Israel on March 2 at 11:30pm.
The man traveled by train from Ben Gurion Airport, where he and his family traveled alone in the wagon, to his home in Be'er Sheva, where he has been staying in quarantine since March 5.
Patient No. 60 is a 29-year-old man from Jerusalem who traveled to Germany with Lufthansa flight 687 that departed on March 4 and landed in Frankfurt 4:25pm, he then traveled to Prague on March 5 and went back to Israel on Israir flight H67762, which landed at Ben Gurion Airport on March 9 at 4:25am.
Patient No. 61 is a man in his 60s from central Israel who traveled from Tel Aviv to Zurich with Swiss flight LX257 on February 25 at 5:20am, from Zurich to Tenerife with Edelweiss flight WK214 on February 25 at 9:30am and returned from Tenerife to Zurich with Edelweiss flight WK215 on March 3 at 2pm and from Zurich to Israel with Swiss flight LX256 on March 3 at 10:40pm.
The epidemiological report shows the patient was at the following locations after his return to Israel:
-Rami Levy supermarket in Sha'ar Binyamin Industrial Zone on March 4 between 4:30pm and 6:30pm.
-Rom Optic in Pisgat Ze'ev on March 6 between 12pm and 12:10pm.
-Maayan 2000 supermarket in Pisgat Ze'ev on March 6 between 12:10pm and 12:15pm.
-Kashtan Deli in Pisgat Ze'ev on March 6 between 12:20pm and 12:30pm.
The patient has been in self-quarantine since March 6.
Israel's coronavirus cases up to 58, health officials confirm
Health Ministry says that for the first time one of the patients recently returned from a trip to Azerbaijan; 3 others recently arrived from Germany and 1 from Austria; 3 others contracted COVID-19 in Israel, joining a host of others who became infected the same way
Another eight Israelis have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 58, the Health Ministry confirmed on Tuesday.
Five of the newly-diagnosed have recently returned from overseas, while three others had contracted the virus by coming in direct contact with a person already infected with COVID-19.
In a first, an Israeli contracted the virus after a trip to the country of Azerbaijan. The patient, 40, is a resident of southern Israel who returned to Israel on February 27 and was hospitalized with flu-like symptoms on March 5. On February 29 he visited the Ikea store in the southern city of Be'er Sheva.
Three other patients, aged between 30 and 40, have recently returned from Germany. All three are residents of central Israel.
Another patient is a Tel Aviv resident who returned from a trip to Austria on March 7 and has been in self-quarantine since then.
In addition, at least six of the those who were diagnosed on Monday appear to have contracted the virus inside the country and continued to lead ordinary lives for days before becoming aware of the infection. The Health Ministry said the development leaves many Israelis at risk of catching the virus.
A patient, whom the Health Ministry refers to as Case 45 (in order of diagnosis), is a 60-year-old woman from Jerusalem who was in contact with a tourist from France infected with the virus. On March 7, she was hospitalized with flu-like symptoms, leaving her unaware of her illness for five days.
Case 47 is a 40-year-old woman from central Israel who worked as a children’s caregiver in Moshav Einav. She was in contact with a person infected with coronavirus on March 2 and continued her daily routine until being admitted to hospital with flu-like symptoms on March 8. Among the locations visited by the patient are Renanim Mall in the city of Raanana and Rav Shefa Mall in Jerusalem.
Another patient, Case 48, is a man in his 20s who lives in central Israel. He came in direct contact with a person infected with the virus on February 28 and continued his daily life until being admitted to a medical center on March 7. Among the places visited by the man are Mivchar, the Haredi College in Bnei Brak, Kiryat Ono Mall and a synagogue in Moshav Einav.
Case 57 is a 30-year-old man from central Israel who also contracted the disease through another virus carrier sometime in the end of February and was only hospitalized on March 9 with flu-like symptoms. During that period, he visited "Bilu" outdoor outlet mall in Rehovot, two different HMO branches in Rehovot as well as several local grocery shops.
Another three Israelis have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, bringing the country's total number of cases to 61, the Health Ministry confirmed on Tuesday.
All three newly-diagnosed patients have recently returned from overseas.
Patient No. 59 is a 60-year-old man who traveled to Spain with Iberia flight IB3317 that departed on February 28 at 6am and returned with Arkia flight 4XAGK that landed in Israel on March 2 at 11:30pm.
The man traveled by train from Ben Gurion Airport, where he and his family traveled alone in the wagon, to his home in Be'er Sheva, where he has been staying in quarantine since March 5.
Patient No. 60 is a 29-year-old man from Jerusalem who traveled to Germany with Lufthansa flight 687 that departed on March 4 and landed in Frankfurt 4:25pm, he then traveled to Prague on March 5 and went back to Israel on Israir flight H67762, which landed at Ben Gurion Airport on March 9 at 4:25am.
Patient No. 61 is a man in his 60s from central Israel who traveled from Tel Aviv to Zurich with Swiss flight LX257 on February 25 at 5:20am, from Zurich to Tenerife with Edelweiss flight WK214 on February 25 at 9:30am and returned from Tenerife to Zurich with Edelweiss flight WK215 on March 3 at 2pm and from Zurich to Israel with Swiss flight LX256 on March 3 at 10:40pm.
The epidemiological report shows the patient was at the following locations after his return to Israel:
-Rami Levy supermarket in Sha'ar Binyamin Industrial Zone on March 4 between 4:30pm and 6:30pm.
-Rom Optic in Pisgat Ze'ev on March 6 between 12pm and 12:10pm.
-Maayan 2000 supermarket in Pisgat Ze'ev on March 6 between 12:10pm and 12:15pm.
-Kashtan Deli in Pisgat Ze'ev on March 6 between 12:20pm and 12:30pm.
The patient has been in self-quarantine since March 6.
Israel's coronavirus cases up to 58, health officials confirm
Health Ministry says that for the first time one of the patients recently returned from a trip to Azerbaijan; 3 others recently arrived from Germany and 1 from Austria; 3 others contracted COVID-19 in Israel, joining a host of others who became infected the same way
Another eight Israelis have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 58, the Health Ministry confirmed on Tuesday.
Five of the newly-diagnosed have recently returned from overseas, while three others had contracted the virus by coming in direct contact with a person already infected with COVID-19.
In a first, an Israeli contracted the virus after a trip to the country of Azerbaijan. The patient, 40, is a resident of southern Israel who returned to Israel on February 27 and was hospitalized with flu-like symptoms on March 5. On February 29 he visited the Ikea store in the southern city of Be'er Sheva.
Three other patients, aged between 30 and 40, have recently returned from Germany. All three are residents of central Israel.
Another patient is a Tel Aviv resident who returned from a trip to Austria on March 7 and has been in self-quarantine since then.
In addition, at least six of the those who were diagnosed on Monday appear to have contracted the virus inside the country and continued to lead ordinary lives for days before becoming aware of the infection. The Health Ministry said the development leaves many Israelis at risk of catching the virus.
A patient, whom the Health Ministry refers to as Case 45 (in order of diagnosis), is a 60-year-old woman from Jerusalem who was in contact with a tourist from France infected with the virus. On March 7, she was hospitalized with flu-like symptoms, leaving her unaware of her illness for five days.
Case 47 is a 40-year-old woman from central Israel who worked as a children’s caregiver in Moshav Einav. She was in contact with a person infected with coronavirus on March 2 and continued her daily routine until being admitted to hospital with flu-like symptoms on March 8. Among the locations visited by the patient are Renanim Mall in the city of Raanana and Rav Shefa Mall in Jerusalem.
Another patient, Case 48, is a man in his 20s who lives in central Israel. He came in direct contact with a person infected with the virus on February 28 and continued his daily life until being admitted to a medical center on March 7. Among the places visited by the man are Mivchar, the Haredi College in Bnei Brak, Kiryat Ono Mall and a synagogue in Moshav Einav.
Case 57 is a 30-year-old man from central Israel who also contracted the disease through another virus carrier sometime in the end of February and was only hospitalized on March 9 with flu-like symptoms. During that period, he visited "Bilu" outdoor outlet mall in Rehovot, two different HMO branches in Rehovot as well as several local grocery shops.
Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel sent an urgent letter to Israeli Health Ministry officials on Sunday on behalf of Arab lawmaker Sami Abu Shehadeh (Balad/Joint List) demanding that the ministry provide all real-time coronavirus-related updates and information also in Arabic.
Palestinian citizens of Israel constitute approximately 20 percent of the country’s total population, according to 2019 data from the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics.
Adalah and member of the Israeli parliament, Knesset, Abu Shehadeh, in the urgent letter addressed to Health Ministry Director General Moshe Bar Siman-Tov, demand that all information and directives relating to coronavirus be immediately made accessible to the Arabic-speaking public on all its communications platforms, social media, and smartphone apps.
An examination of the Israeli Health Ministry’s website revealed that ongoing updates related to coronavirus are being issued only in Hebrew; Arabic-language updates are issued only after significant delays. In addition, the ministry’s social media posts and smartphone app are accessible only in Hebrew.
Adalah Attorney Aiah Haj Odeh stressed in the letter that Israel’s failure to provide up-to-date virus-related information in Arabic not only violates the right to equality but also constitutes an immediate danger to public health.
"The Israeli government has been discriminating against Palestinian citizens for years, failing to provide essential information and services in Arabic.
There is now an urgent public interest in regular, real-time updates – accessible in all languages – relating to coronavirus. Inequality in access to information can harm all citizens.
The coronavirus does not discriminate according to the ethnic identity of its victims, and the Israeli Health Ministry must therefore provide equal services for all citizens,” said Odeh.
"The handling of this epidemic requires access to information for the entire public – certainly also in Arabic for Arab citizens. Unfortunately, the lack of Arabic-language updates and information on all platforms – and the concurrent investment in dissemination of only Hebrew-language information – highlights the depth of inequality even when it comes to the right to health.
Now – in the midst of a global epidemic – we must all do everything we can to eradicate coronavirus, and the primary tool at our disposal is accessible information," commented Knesset Member Sami Abu Shehadeh.
Adalah said later today that over the past several hours there has been an increased effort on the part of the Israeli Health Ministry to retroactively supply Arabic-language information on coronavirus. Adalah Attorney Aiah Haj Odeh emphasized, however, that the information is not transmitted in real time and it is still missing essential details, including the latest guidelines for individuals required to remain in quarantine.
In addition, Adalah stressed that there is still no information in Arabic on Health Ministry social media platforms and the ministry’s coronavirus app is not offered in Arabic.
"We demand that the Israeli Health Ministry unequivocally commit to providing all information in Arabic - just as it is in Hebrew - before we turn to the courts," said Adalah Attorney Aiah Haj Odeh.
Palestinian citizens of Israel constitute approximately 20 percent of the country’s total population, according to 2019 data from the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics.
Adalah and member of the Israeli parliament, Knesset, Abu Shehadeh, in the urgent letter addressed to Health Ministry Director General Moshe Bar Siman-Tov, demand that all information and directives relating to coronavirus be immediately made accessible to the Arabic-speaking public on all its communications platforms, social media, and smartphone apps.
An examination of the Israeli Health Ministry’s website revealed that ongoing updates related to coronavirus are being issued only in Hebrew; Arabic-language updates are issued only after significant delays. In addition, the ministry’s social media posts and smartphone app are accessible only in Hebrew.
Adalah Attorney Aiah Haj Odeh stressed in the letter that Israel’s failure to provide up-to-date virus-related information in Arabic not only violates the right to equality but also constitutes an immediate danger to public health.
"The Israeli government has been discriminating against Palestinian citizens for years, failing to provide essential information and services in Arabic.
There is now an urgent public interest in regular, real-time updates – accessible in all languages – relating to coronavirus. Inequality in access to information can harm all citizens.
The coronavirus does not discriminate according to the ethnic identity of its victims, and the Israeli Health Ministry must therefore provide equal services for all citizens,” said Odeh.
"The handling of this epidemic requires access to information for the entire public – certainly also in Arabic for Arab citizens. Unfortunately, the lack of Arabic-language updates and information on all platforms – and the concurrent investment in dissemination of only Hebrew-language information – highlights the depth of inequality even when it comes to the right to health.
Now – in the midst of a global epidemic – we must all do everything we can to eradicate coronavirus, and the primary tool at our disposal is accessible information," commented Knesset Member Sami Abu Shehadeh.
Adalah said later today that over the past several hours there has been an increased effort on the part of the Israeli Health Ministry to retroactively supply Arabic-language information on coronavirus. Adalah Attorney Aiah Haj Odeh emphasized, however, that the information is not transmitted in real time and it is still missing essential details, including the latest guidelines for individuals required to remain in quarantine.
In addition, Adalah stressed that there is still no information in Arabic on Health Ministry social media platforms and the ministry’s coronavirus app is not offered in Arabic.
"We demand that the Israeli Health Ministry unequivocally commit to providing all information in Arabic - just as it is in Hebrew - before we turn to the courts," said Adalah Attorney Aiah Haj Odeh.
Dedicated quarantine area in Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva
Ynet investigation reveals Health Ministry ordered for those infected with COVID-19 to be hospitalized in negative pressure rooms, mostly located in internal wards of Israeli hospitals, normally occupied by vulnerable, elderly patients
Many coronavirus patients in Israel who are supposed to be hospitalized in dedicated quarantine areas are actually being treated in internal wards of Israeli hospitals, a Ynet investigation revealed Tuesday.
On Monday evening it was confirmed that 11 more people have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in Israel to 50. As a result, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government has decided to quarantine anyone arriving from overseas for 14 days.
The Health Ministry has ordered for all coronavirus patients in the country to be treated only in negative pressure rooms, an isolation technique used in medical centers.
Most such rooms, however, are located inside the hospitals and not in dedicated quarantine areas, set up at the start of the outbreak at Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv and other medical centers across Israel.
Negative pressure rooms are normally occupied by elderly patients, making them vulnerable to accidentally contracting the virus.
Members of one family were shocked to discover on Monday that in a hospital unit where their elderly relative is being treated, an isolated room has been set up where a suspected coronavirus patient is now hospitalized.
"The same medical and nursing staff that treat the [coronavirus] patient also treat the regular patients,” said the son of the elderly patient. “Another quarantined patient was found wandering the halls of the unit and was returned to her room only after the arrival of security personnel.”
A son of another elderly and ill patient hospitalized in a unit where an Israeli with COVID-19 is being treated, said his frail father is afraid he will not make it out alive. "My father is an elderly and complex patient ... and I cannot find the words to calm him down."
Medical staff at the hospitals said they strongly oppose the Health Ministry's decision to allow the coronavirus patients to be treated in internal wards.
"Despite the quarantine, the infection can still spread,” said one medial official. “The smallest mistake, for example a nurse who goes from treating one patient to another, and it [the virus] is going to spread like wildfire.”
Prof. Ronni Gamzu, CEO of Tel Aviv's Ichilov Hospital, said he actually agreed with the Health Ministry’s guidelines. "According to the most stringent guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S., coronavirus patients must be hospitalized in a room with negative air pressure,” he said.
“I think one should not be nervous about [coronavirus] patients being in internal wards, where patients with tuberculosis and other infectious diseases are also treated.”
"Negative pressure rooms are the safest rooms for hospitalizing patients with infectious diseases, including coronavirus,” said the Health Ministry in a statement. “If one adheres to the guidelines, other patients and medical staff would be protected."
Ynet investigation reveals Health Ministry ordered for those infected with COVID-19 to be hospitalized in negative pressure rooms, mostly located in internal wards of Israeli hospitals, normally occupied by vulnerable, elderly patients
Many coronavirus patients in Israel who are supposed to be hospitalized in dedicated quarantine areas are actually being treated in internal wards of Israeli hospitals, a Ynet investigation revealed Tuesday.
On Monday evening it was confirmed that 11 more people have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in Israel to 50. As a result, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government has decided to quarantine anyone arriving from overseas for 14 days.
The Health Ministry has ordered for all coronavirus patients in the country to be treated only in negative pressure rooms, an isolation technique used in medical centers.
Most such rooms, however, are located inside the hospitals and not in dedicated quarantine areas, set up at the start of the outbreak at Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv and other medical centers across Israel.
Negative pressure rooms are normally occupied by elderly patients, making them vulnerable to accidentally contracting the virus.
Members of one family were shocked to discover on Monday that in a hospital unit where their elderly relative is being treated, an isolated room has been set up where a suspected coronavirus patient is now hospitalized.
"The same medical and nursing staff that treat the [coronavirus] patient also treat the regular patients,” said the son of the elderly patient. “Another quarantined patient was found wandering the halls of the unit and was returned to her room only after the arrival of security personnel.”
A son of another elderly and ill patient hospitalized in a unit where an Israeli with COVID-19 is being treated, said his frail father is afraid he will not make it out alive. "My father is an elderly and complex patient ... and I cannot find the words to calm him down."
Medical staff at the hospitals said they strongly oppose the Health Ministry's decision to allow the coronavirus patients to be treated in internal wards.
"Despite the quarantine, the infection can still spread,” said one medial official. “The smallest mistake, for example a nurse who goes from treating one patient to another, and it [the virus] is going to spread like wildfire.”
Prof. Ronni Gamzu, CEO of Tel Aviv's Ichilov Hospital, said he actually agreed with the Health Ministry’s guidelines. "According to the most stringent guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S., coronavirus patients must be hospitalized in a room with negative air pressure,” he said.
“I think one should not be nervous about [coronavirus] patients being in internal wards, where patients with tuberculosis and other infectious diseases are also treated.”
"Negative pressure rooms are the safest rooms for hospitalizing patients with infectious diseases, including coronavirus,” said the Health Ministry in a statement. “If one adheres to the guidelines, other patients and medical staff would be protected."
