With coronavirus cases rising, MDA sees hotline activity triple

Considering the rise in coronavirus cases - and with the numbers continuing to climb - many Israelis are looking to MDA for answers during this time of uncertainty.

By ZACHARY KEYSER
Magen David Adom medical team members, wearing protective gear, are handling a Coronavirus test from a patient in Jerusalem, April 7, 2020. (photo credit: OLIVIER FITOUSSI/FLASH90)
Magen David Adom medical team members, wearing protective gear, are handling a Coronavirus test from a patient in Jerusalem, April 7, 2020.
(photo credit: OLIVIER FITOUSSI/FLASH90)
Magen David Adom (MDA) reported a 300% increase in activity on their 101 emergency hotline this weekend.
The Israeli healthcare service said the emergency dispatch center received 32,659 calls over the span of two days - 19,611 on Friday and 13,048 Saturday.
Considering the rise in coronavirus cases – and with the numbers continuing to climb – many Israelis are looking to MDA for answers during this time of uncertainty.
However, the service made note to clarify that those showing symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, should instead contact their health maintenance organization (HMO), such as Clalit, Maccabi, Leumi or Meuhedet, instead of the crisis hotline.
While the MDA does manage drive-thru coronavirus testing stations spread throughout the country, the 101 hotline is primarily intended for emergency situations, whereas private COVID-19 testing is normally carried out by family doctors or by health care providers. MDA notes that Israelis should contact their primary care physician to obtain a referral for coronavirus testing in order to proceed with obtaining a diagnosis.
Since the onset of the coronavirus outbreak, MDA has conducted nearly 500,000 coronavirus tests. Some 143,268 were done privately at people's home and publicly in schools, and another 188,728 were done for residents and staff members at long-term care facilities and nursing homes. As of now, 142,038 samples have been collected via the MDA drive-thru testing stations.
On Saturday, 806 people were diagnosed with coronavirus out of the 16,749 who were tested. The next day, the Health Ministry reported 719 additional active coronavirus cases from 18,948 tests.
On Monday, there were 817 new diagnoses, bringing the total of sick patients in the country to 11,856. Some 90 are reportedly in serious condition, with 32 intubated. One person died over the weekend, bringing the death total to 331.


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