Prof. Levy: "We don't see flu yet. A lockdown during Hanukkah? A possible scenario"'

November 19, 2020   

Ministry of Health Director General Prof. Hezi Levy held a special briefing today (Thursday) on the background of the Corona Cabinet's approval to regulate the 'green islands' in Eilat and the Dead Sea, increasing the number of shoppers in stores across the country, and opening zoos. Have you been suffering from depression lately? Are you eligible for National Insurance?’ Nativ Real Estate Company celebrates 30 • And how will you earn benefits that will not come back? Prof. Levy was asked whether there will be a lockdown on Hanukkah and replied: "I don't know if there will be a lockdown on Hanukkah. The increase in morbidity could lead to the restrictions being suspended. One way to prevent a lockdown is differentials. There will be communities that will be designated orange or red and there will be restrictions. If there is a widespread morbidity like on Rosh Hashanah Eve, we will have to take broad measures. I can't say if it will be on Hanukkah, but it could certainly happen if the increase in morbidity continues." The CEO referred to the morbidity data: "Today, 780 confirmed patients were identified out of about 50,000 tests. There is a slight increase in morbidity, although there is overall stability in the younger age groups. The R is now hovering around 1.08, a higher value than the target we set for moving forward with the easing outline. Regarding those hospitalized, there is a plateau in the number of seriously ill patients, without sharp increases or decreases." He said, "We are about to open grades 5-6 according to the cabinet decision. Education is a supreme value and a priority. Therefore, we are taking risks so that Israeli children will go to school in a staggered manner. Hybrid learning and several meetings in capsules. We will honor the cabinet decision that determined that classes in grades 5-6 will begin next Tuesday. This will happen unless, God forbid, there is a catastrophe." Regarding the opening of commerce, he said: "Big centers opened this week, lines have built up there. Last night, it was approved and enacted to increase the number of shoppers to 10 visitors - one visitor per 7 square meters. In small stores, the maximum occupancy will remain four people at any given moment. "We are not encouraging the sweeping opening of shopping malls, but are now outlining a pilot together with the National Security Council, according to the cabinet decision. Our experimental outline will include opening a number of shopping malls with the ability to control the number of shoppers and monitor them if someone is found to be sick - all in order not to provoke morbidity." On preparing for the winter: "There are about a million people vaccinated against the flu, with a high percentage of those aged 60-65 and a high percentage among medical teams as well. There are three million vaccines in the country and we are continuing. By the end of the month, about 4.3 million vaccines will have been accumulated and the campaign is in full swing. We are not seeing any flu illness yet, not even among the elderly population. We are not seeing any upper respiratory illness that is not coronavirus, but only among children in kindergarten and daycare." On a coronavirus vaccine: "The Ministry of Health is holding negotiations with several companies with the blessed help of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health. These discussions are taking place in accordance with the technologies and production processes and according to very strict regulation regarding the results that will refine safety and effectiveness. We have reached understandings with several of the companies, some of which have been published. We do not specify numbers or the method of supply. This is a business agreement and confidentiality exists. "I am optimistic that during 2021 there will be a vaccine for residents. This is the time to note with optimism and gratitude the vaccine of the Biological Institute. Very good work is being done there. I am optimistic that the institute will also make a safe and effective vaccine available to us.".