i24News header - Israel's infection rate will lead to another lockdown in 2 weeks: study

Sheba Medical Center team at the Coronavirus isolation ward of Sheba Medical Center unit, in Ramat Gan, June 30, 2020.
Sheba Medical Center team at the Coronavirus isolation ward of Sheba Medical Center unit, in Ramat Gan, June 30, 2020.

Researchers warn more than 100 deaths due to COVID-19 may occur in coming weeks

With Israel’s current infection rate, the country’s health system could collapse in two weeks time which would lead to a complete shutdown of the nation.

This grim warning was sounded in a new research published Friday by Hebrew-language outlet Globes.

A team of researchers from the Racah Institute of Physics and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem estimated that in line with the country’s steady rise of coronavirus cases in recent weeks, more than 100 deaths can be expected in the coming weeks.

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The study points to May 15, the date when events with large gatherings were permitted by the government, causing transmissions of the virus between two population groups: vulnerable and non-vulnerable individuals.

According to the researchers, Israel’s latest outbreak — identified in locations across the entire country — was caused by a 10-day infection spree in these large social events in closed spaces, Globes reported.

The study further suggests that a steep rise in hospitalizations over the next ten days is inevitable, and stipulated that halting the surge will only be noticed ten days after implementing countermeasures.

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