Health Ministry concerned over coronavirus spike ahead of Yom Kippur

The Health Ministry has expressed concern that the Yom Kippur fast day that starts Sunday at sundown could lead to a sharp rise in infection, as the number of new daily coronavirus cases skyrocketed in recent days – in part because of gatherings on Rosh Hashanah.The Health Ministry reported Saturday that some 8,221 new cases were diagnosed the day before. Of the 61,101 people screened for coronavirus, that means 13.5% . tested positive. Some 728 people were in serious condition, including 200 on ventilators – a peak. The death toll rose to 1,417.On Thursday, more than 8,000 cases were diagnosed, as well.Hospitals have said that if the number of serious cases tops 800, they might not be able to provide optimal care to all of their patients.According to statistics confirmed by The Jerusalem Post, around 25% of haredim (ultra-Orthodox) who were concerned they might have coronavirus and were screened tested positive and this is likely only the beginning results of the Rosh Hashanah prayers and other gatherings.On Friday, it was revealed that some 400 Jerusalem yeshiva students who had attended Rosh Hashanah prayers together were infected. The students – married and single – were transferred to three coronavirus hotels throughout the country.

Rabbis throughout the religious sector have called on their constituents not to pray inside, but there is real concern by the Health Ministry that many of the Hassidic sects will not listen to the guidelines and there will be an even greater outbreak a week to 12 days after the fast.A source in the know said that the politicians are talking with the Hassidic rabbis to encourage them to listen, despite the tens of thousands of protesters on Saturday night.”I call on the citizens of Israel: Do not take an example from the demonstrators tonight,” said Health Minister Yuli Edelstein on Saturday night. He said the protesters took advantage of the delay in the Knesset “to harm their health and the health of those around them. With God’s help on Tuesday we will pass the legislation and the demonstrations will be limited.

The Health Ministry is hoping not to reduce the number of people screened on the holy day – more than 60,000 people have been tested per day in recent days – and plans to test more in the Arab sector. Around 35% of all Arabs screened are testing positive.The closure went into effect on Friday at 2 p.m. and with it a long list of restrictions, many that the country has seen before. These include not allowing people to travel more than 1,000 meters from their homes, forbidding gatherings – except for prayers, in groups of 20 people and in open spaces – and shuttering stores – except for those that sell essential products.Public transportation has been reduced for the duration of the lockdown. The guidelines for public transport and Ben-Gurion Airport were released by the Transportation Ministry on Friday.Public transportation will operate in a limited format, mainly to allow essential and approved workers to get to and from their jobs.Ben-Gurion Airport will be open for flights, but only those people who purchased tickets before the closure will be allowed to travel.  Upon arrival at the airport, travelers will be asked to present documentation of the date of purchase of their ticket, a valid ticket and possibly a negative coronavirus test, depending on their destination.Transportation Minister Miri Regev called the plan “balanced” and meant to preserve “social solidarity… at such a complex time.”Moreover, despite the initial intention to greatly reduce activity in the private sector, the government did decide on Friday morning to approve work in many more industries, according to the recommendation of the Finance Ministry.Among the sectors that can now operate are companies engaged in construction work, security, technology or finance; factories that provide essential services; institutions of higher education; drainage authorities; and ports.The National Insurance Institute, youth-at-risk programs and local authorities, welfare and support services will also be allowed to operate, as will research laboratories that require physical attendance.Additionally, people can go to their place of work to check up on it and ensure it is maintained. As was previously discussed, those who sell products related to Yom Kippur or Sukkot can operate as well.The Knesset Finance Committee met and approved in the first reading an amendment to the Economic Assistance Program that would help facilitate the allocation of grants to businesses and provide their owners with advance compensation for the months in which their businesses are harmed by coronavirus directives.The second and third readings on the amendment are expected to take place next Tuesday.Police set up dozens of roadblocks across the country and stopped hundreds of cars in an effort to enforce the country’s second lockdown. Police operated on all major thoroughfares and also in neighborhoods, moshavim and kibbutzim.

Source