With coronavirus cases in Israel continuing to mount at an alarming pace due to the Omicron variant, Israel's top health officer on Monday tried to convey a calming message to the public, asserting that the state had "the situation is under control."
The health chief's remarks come as health officials warned of an imminent spike in coronavirus-related hospitalizations and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned that daily infections were on pace to exceed 50,000 by the end of the week.
"We understand that there will be widespread infections, just like everywhere else, and this is not completely unpreventable," Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said. "But, there is no reason to terrorize the public. There is no value in apocalyptic predictions that only create more anxiety."
He further stressed there was no need to keep deliberating the option of going into lockdown or any other measures that would disrupt the economy, explaining that the government was prepared for the Omicron's arrival in Israel and that the country's situation "is relatively good compared to the rest of the world."
Regarding the long queues and heavy load at coronavirus testing facilities, Horowitz said that actions will soon be taken to "increase availability testing and decrease demand."
Horowitz also stated that his ministry was working on actions to alleviate the grueling workload in coronavirus testing stations scattered around the country as they are facing unprecedented demand.
"We will shore up our testing capabilities, and even allow people to get tested at their workplace while reducing the need to go get tested," he said.
During a Sunday meeting between the minister and hospital officials, they revealed to him they have yet to strike a deal with the Health Ministry to supply them with 100 additional ICU beds.
"The situation is absurd," the officials said, accusing the ministry of negligence, "we will not be able to press on like this."
Prof. Chezy Levy, director of Barzilai Medical Center and a former Health Ministry director-general, warned that despite initial signs Omicron variant was less virulent than previous strains, a "wave" of hospitalizations was afoot.
"We will have to reopen more coronavirus wards," he said, adding that some hospitals were already reporting 120% occupancy.
"We are also seeing a rise in pediatric hospitalizations due to respiratory diseases. This — coupled with the Omicron variant and the closing of internal wards — is a danger to the public."
Levy also warned that hospitals were facing a double-whammy with a growing number being into quarantine after being exposed to the virus.