1,000 – 2,500 Israelis expected to die of COVID-19 in near future, study shows
A report by a team of researchers from the Hebrew University and Hadassah predicts a significant increase in the number of critically ill Coronavirus (COVID-19) patients in Israel in the coming days, especially in light of the risk of accelerated intergenerational infection during the upcoming Jewish High Holidays.
Infographic of the Coronavirus. Feb 22, 2020. Photo by Kobi Richter/TPS
The data published on Thursday shows that the health system will reach the threshold of its collapse in the near future, regardless of the planned countrywide closure which will commence on Friday.
The researchers argue that an effective closure must be implemented in order to prevent a further increase in these numbers and that all gatherings must be banned.
The plan published by the government allows for several exceptions during the lockdown, including holding mass demonstrations.
The researchers concluded is that the expected mortality in a closure scenario is 1,000 to 2,500 additional deaths, beyond the 1,165 who have already died.
The researchers pointed out that their conclusions are based on the assumption that the protection plan for old age homes will be effective. Efforts should be focused on maintaining these capabilities, they stressed,
They further emphasized that the realization of a rapid epidemiological system is essential for an exit from the closure and is expected to help reduce the expected damage.
Israel will enter a weeks-long closure on Friday, as Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, commences.
Israel is the only country in the world to enter a second full lockdown.
Everyone must be disciplined and wear a mask.
This is the price of poor discipline and sometimes total ignorance of the instructions and recommendations of health authorities.
Perhaps the Hebrew University experts should be wary of making frightening predictions of mortality and sickness considering the abysmal record of expert prediction to date.