Less than 4.5% of Israelis in Quarantine Test Positive for Coron...

Less than 4.5% of  Israelis who went into quarantine due to Corona were ultimately positive for the virus. According to the Ministry of Health, out of 839,092 people who went into isolation by mid-September, due to contact with a verified patient or the GSS, an infection was detected in only 36,799 people.  Of those examined, the rate of positive tests was 12.5%.

Professor Eran Segal of the Weizmann Institute says that the data indicate that the vast majority of the people in quarantine were not infected with the coronavirus, and that it may be possible to shorten the isolation period. At the same time, Segal added that the rate of positive tests was still very high relative to the general population, and in order to achieve epidemic control it is necessary to isolate those suspected of being exposed to the virus. 

The chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Zvi Hauser, said that the number of isolated people in Israel in relation to the population is the highest in the world, and that the relatively low rate of positives versus those in quarantine show that the quarantine time period should be reduced. MK Hauser recently raised the possibility with the prime minister and the Corona Cabinet to examine the possibility of shortening the isolation days by two days, subject to an examination on the ninth day of isolation, and given a negative result. The MK added that preparations should be made for the day after the closure, to facilitate the households and the Israeli economy and to restore public confidence.

The Ministry of Health stated that the possibility of shortening the isolation period has been considered and is being considered all the time, and that if the policy changes, the Ministry of Health will publish its guidelines to the public. According to the ministry, more than 148,000 Israelis are currently in solitary confinement.

©ShemeshOnline

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