Wolfson CEO: There is an increase in more seriously ill patients, don't panic

June 17, 2020   

Dr. Anat Engel, CEO of Wolfson Hospital, spoke today (Wednesday) with Golan Yochpaz and Anat Davidov on 103fm about what appears to be a second wave of the coronavirus outbreak - and referred to the opening of the economy, which was seen as the most significant factor in the increase in the number of confirmed coronavirus patients. She explained why there is no need to worry. Dr. Engel said that after an improvement in the number of coronavirus patients at Wolfson Hospital in recent weeks - "This morning we have ten confirmed patients, three of whom are on ventilators. We already had two chronic ventilators who were already on the verge of becoming negative, simply very sick, elderly people whose process is more complex, especially those who need to recover from a serious condition. ''Three came to us on foot, their condition deteriorated and we ventilated them. I really see an increase in both the number of confirmed patients and the number of patients who are more seriously ill, one of whom is also on a heart-lung machine, his condition is so serious." According to her, recently, "we are seeing some kind of over-relaxation in the public," and she explained that one of the most challenging things in medicine is the issue of prevention: "Telling people who are healthy to maintain healthy lifestyles in order to prevent future illness is not something simple, psychologically - 'It won't happen to me.' I think here too we see the same element, we don't see the virus in the air, we feel good, it's possible that some are carrying the virus and don't know it. Therefore, it is very difficult for the public to carry out this process of prevention that we are talking about." Golan Yochpaz claimed that against the backdrop of the opening of educational institutions and the economy, it was clear that there would be an increase in the number of patients, and wondered why everyone seemed surprised now. Dr. Engel replied: "We are not surprised, I do not think we have exaggerated the return to routine. I do not think we should panic now. I call this situation a routine alongside the Corona, and it will be for a few more months. ''We have seen the economic aspect of the stoppage and the restrictions. As long as there is no vaccine or medicine that causes recovery, prevention is the important element - that means maintaining masks, 2 meters, hand hygiene. These are the rules, and this happens less. The resilience of our population and society is to return to routine and function." Regarding the report that a drug was found that improves the number of recoveries by a third, the director of the Wolfson Hospital explained that it is steroids and that it is "a drug that we use," but explained that part of the disease is "the body's response to the disease, a very strong response of the immune system, and steroids are a question - whether to reduce this response. This is fresh, new advertising. We need to see the results and respond accordingly, to see if we are really providing the treatment.".