Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz on Sunday proposed cutting mandatory quarantine for those infected with COVID-19 to five days. The proposal would also shorten the quarantine period for those exposed to a confirmed COVID patient.
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Currently, confirmed patients are required to self-isolate for 10 days, pending two negative tests taken 48 hours apart. Cases of suspected exposure require a week's isolation, pending two negative tests.
Israel has recorded 1,792,137 COVID-19 cases, including 8,318 deaths, since the onset of the global pandemic in March 2020.
As of Sunday, there are 253, active coronavirus cases, including 1,303 hospitalized patients. The Health Ministry said that 325 Israelis are in serious condition, and 121 are critical.
Several other countries already shortened the mandatory quarantine period, including the United States and Britain.
Kan 11 News reported that Health Ministry officials were divided on the matter.
"We are exploring the possibility of shortening the isolation for staff at medical institutions and other essential positions, and we will do so responsibly," Health Ministry Director-General Nachman Ash said Sunday.
Several ministers called for the shortening of quarantine days during the weekly cabinet meeting.
"Children face eating disorders, a tsunami of mental health issues, abnormal sexual behaviors, and more, all because of unnecessary isolation," Education Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton said on Sunday.
Also on Sunday, Culture and Sports Minister Chili Tropper tested positive for COVID-19, saying he was feeling well and experiencing no symptoms. The past 10 days have seen other cabinet members contract the virus, including Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Public Security Minister Omer Barlev, and Housing Minister Ze'ev Elkin.
Health Ministry data released over the weekend showed that 11% of the recent cases of coronavirus diagnosed in Israel were in people who have previously recovered from an infection. The Omicron variant has also been taking its toll on morbidity rates, which have gone up nearly 15% in just over a week.
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