A 37-year-old man died Wednesday from COVID complications, only a day after his mother, 66, succumbed to the disease. Neither were vaccinated against the virus.
Despite Israel's high-paced vaccination drive, the inoculation rate in the Arab sector has been lower than the national average, prompting an awareness campaign targeted at the community.
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Mustafa Khalaf who died of COVID-19 complications on Wednesday at the age of 37 just one day after his mother succumbed to the virus
"The whole family was infected," a relative said. "Both mother and son along with other members of the family were hospitalized. We prayed that they would heal and return to us were told that the mother passed away while her son was sedated and put on a ventilator, until he too died," he said adding it was difficult to lose both.
The family had already suffered tragedy when five years ago, another son was murdered by one of his employees after a violent fight broke out between them. The assailant stabbed and then strangled him.
Mustaffah's father passed away many years ago. "the mother raised her son who had completed his studies and was an accountant. She was so proud of him and wished a better future for him. She loved him so much and now they died together," the relative said.
Another relative said the two were very close. Mustafa cared dearly for this mother and tried to always make her happy. The entire village is saddened by their passing. We all hope this virus will be eradicated and that there will be no more tragedies such as this one," he said.
On Tuesday, the point man for the Arab sector in the Health Ministry, Ayman Seif said such deaths are unfortunate.
Seif spoke after another Arab family was tragically hit by the virus. Shurouk Joubran, a 23-year old resident of the village of Jisr Az-Zarqa who contracted COVID-19 while pregnant died at the Hillel Yaffeh Medical Center in Hadera only 10 days after her sister was struck down by coronavirus as well.
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Shurouk Joubran who died from COVID-19 after being infected while pregnant
(Photo: Courtesy)
"The fact that 80% of people hospitalized with the virus did not receive the coronavirus vaccine is testimony to the importance of inoculations. I call on all members of the sector that have yet to receive the jabs to do so quickly and prevent more deaths," Seif said.
"The data shows there is an increase in Arabs receiving their vaccines," he said. "Almost 83% of the over 50 age group has already been vaccinated and only 35,000 including residents of East Jerusalem are still resisting," he said.
In the younger population the numbers are still low, according to Seif who says only 67% have received the shots.
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Ayman Seif Health Ministry point man for coronavirus pandemic in the Arab sector
(Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
"There are nearly 280,000 people that have not been vaccinated yet," he said. "We still have our work cut out for us to reach the holy month of Ramadan safely." Ramadan begins next month.