The contraction rate of the coronavirus in Israel is increasing. Another 14 people were diagnosed on Sunday, bringing the total number of infected Israelis to 39, the Health Ministry announced.
Among the sick, some came from Italy, Spain, Belgium and Austria, and five were infected after coming into direct contact with confirmed cases.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
The 29th patient is a 45-year-old ambulance driver who spent several hours in the emergency ward of Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva on Saturday night. The medical staff that he came into contact with were put into isolation.
The driver is currently in stable condition, although his case could represent a new phase in the containment efforts because his transmission circumstances were not immediately clear and he did not initially display regular symptoms.
Professor Ehud Davidson, CEO of Clalit Health Services, said that Israel was "in control of the disease, unlike other countries," stressing that the Israeli government knew how each of the patients confirmed so far got infected.
The driver's case could indicate a loss of control, however, as it was not clear how he became infected and from whom.
The point when authorities are incapable of tracing the spread of the disease, Davidson explained, is the point where control is lost.
Earlier Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is contemplating ordering all international travelers into quarantine.
Netanyahu, who spoke at a special press conference held in Jerusalem with Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, said a final decision would be made on Monday about a comprehensive quarantine directive for travelers from anywhere, including the United States.
"If we take more steps, it will be on all countries," the prime minister said. "We are not talking about closing our gates, we are talking about quarantine for those who come from abroad."
Prof. Hagai Levine, an epidemiologist, public health physician and faculty member of the Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, believes the Health Ministry is taking the wrong steps.
"The emphasis needs to be that anyone with a fever and cough must be considered a potential coronavirus case and must self-quarantine at home. It's an illusion that closing our borders means no one will be sick here," Levine said.
