Israel’s health system at critical point

Jerusalem, Sep 29 (efe-epa).- The number of seriously ill Covid-19 patients in Israel reached its highest level on Tuesday and a critical point for its health service.

There were more than 800 patients in serious condition with the coronavirus, the highest number since the coronavirus pandemic started.

It is also a figure that authorities marked as a red line for the sustainability of the country’s health system.

There has been a high morbidity rate in the country despite residents being in lockdown since 18 September.

Nearly 1,600 people have been hospitalized, including 811 in critical condition and more than 200 connected to respirators, according to the health ministry.

A strong second wave remains uncontained and has put increasing pressure on hospitals, which have a weakening capacity to care for patients.

The number of serious cases has increased significantly in recent weeks.

Exceeding the limit of 800 critically ill patients does not pose a risk of collapsing Israel’s health service but will cause deficiencies in medical care and hinder other hospital services, according to authorities.

More than 1,500 Covid deaths have been recorded in the country, a third of them in the last month.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Tuesday that the lockdown will last longer than previously expected, probably more than a month.