Health officials said Saturday they've recorded a significant increase in coronavirus patients needing ventilator support as the country's total number of COVID-19 cases now standing at 7,851. Israel's death toll, meanwhile, currently stands at 44.
The Health Ministry said both the number of patients in serious condition and the number of people needing support of ventilator machines have risen by 10% each.
Of the latest number, 126 are in serious condition, including 108 patients on ventilators, while 165 people remain in moderate condition. Another 7,059 people have mild symptoms and 458 have made a full recovery.
Hospitals are treating 734 patients, while 4,663 people are fighting the virus at home. Another 702 people are currently in specially designated hotels and 1,251 are awaiting a decision on whether they will be treated.
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Drive in coronavirus testing center in Haredi city of El'ad
(Photo: El'ad Municipality)
Also on Saturday, four more people died from complications related to coronavirus bringing the country's death toll to 44.
Among the latest victims are an 88-year-old woman who died at Yitzhak Shamir Medical Center near Tel Aviv, a 67-year-old woman who died at Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva and a 76-year-old man who passed away at Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon and whose son is still in the hospital having also contracted COVID-19.
Additionally, an 88-year-old woman passed away at Ichilov Hospital and a 89-year-old woman died at a geriatric hospital in Jaffa. Both women contracted the virus at Mishan nursing home in Be'er Sheva, where three other coronavirus fatalities also lived.
All victims suffered from underlying health conditions.
In addition, 22-year-old Afik Swisa - Israel's youngest coronavirus patient in serious condition - has been transferred to Ichilov Hospital from Assuta Ashdod Medical Center after his condition has deteriorated.
"In coordination with the family, it was decided to transfer him to Ichilov Hospital to continue the ECMO treatment (extracorporeal technique of providing prolonged cardiac and respiratory support),” said the hospital in a statement.