Close to 700% increase in calls to Magen David Adom as coronavirus spreads

In less than 24 hours, there were 39,000 calls made to the its emergency call center.

By MAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN
Magen David Adom medics staff a special coronavirus hotline (photo credit: MAGEN DAVID ADOM)
Magen David Adom medics staff a special coronavirus hotline
(photo credit: MAGEN DAVID ADOM)
As panic about the potentially lethal coronavirus spreads across Israel, seven times more civilian inquiries were made to the 101 emergency call center than usual, Magen David Adom reported Thursday.
In less than 24 hours, the call center received some 39,000 inquiries, compared with about 5,500 on a regular day, MDA said in a press release.
MDA is asking that people not call 101 for general information about the coronavirus, but rather use the Health Ministry’s *5400 hotline or call their insurance carrier in cases where there are no physical symptoms.
On Wednesday, the Health Ministry website crashed due to the volume of visitors.
“MDA EMTs and paramedics continue to take samples from patients who are quarantined and have reported symptoms such as a fever, cough, etc.,” MDA said.
MDA paramedics and EMTs have made home visits to about 1,300 people to take samples for testing, it said.
On Wednesday, the Health Ministry expanded travel restrictions and other guidelines. It said 50,000 to 70,000 people were likely to be quarantined in Israel. The number could be as high as 100,000, according to Channel 12.