Health Ministry redefines patient selection and precaution for coronavirus
The Ministry states that disease prevention and an outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Israel is dependent on the responsible actions of the Israeli public.
By ZACHARY KEYSERElderly people queue up for free surgical masks from a convenience store, following the outbreak of a new coronavirus, in Hong Kong, China February 7, 2020.(photo credit: REUTERS/TYRONE SIU)
The Health Ministry has adapted a new definition with regard to patient selection and precautionary methods concerning ongoing screenings for the novel coronavirus on Friday, mainly focusing on international travelers entering Israel.The new guidelines state that a patient who should be examined now means anyone who has either been in close contact with a known coronavirus patient, travelers that have visited or traveled through southeast Asia (China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, Singapore, South Korea or Macau), or who is experiencing lengthy ongoing flu-like symptoms – such an abnormally high fever, persistent cough, difficulty breathing or other respiratory symptoms.If a patient intends to seek medical attention for a suspected coronavirus infection, the clinic or hospital should be contacted in advance and informed to prepare and arrange proper procedure before the patient arrives.Additionally, patients should cover their nose and mouth the best they can with a cloth or surgical mask, as well as avoid using public transportation and walking through congested areas when they seek medical help. The ministry concludes that disease prevention and an outbreak of the coronavirus within Israel is dependent on the responsible actions of the Israeli public. As of 6 a.m. Geneva time (0500 GMT) Friday there were 31,211 confirmed cases in China and 637 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. No confirmed coronavirus patients have been found in Israel, however a nine-year-old girl, a Chinese worker, and a tourist from Europe who visited Israel after visiting China were suspected of having it. The girl lives with her parents in China and was found to be not infected with the virus. The worker and tourist are still being held under observation.
