58-year-old Bat-Sheva Halfon died at the Laniado Medical Center in Netanya on Friday after her breathing machine was disconnected without anyone noticing, Hebrew media sources reported on Monday.
Halfon was hospitalized for a month and a half because of a lung infection and caught COVID-19 while in the hospital.
A doctor was recorded saying to Nir Machlouf, Halfon's nephew, that she had probably disconnected the machine on her own and was not able to reconnect it.
Intubated patients are supposed to be under tight supervision in order to prevent cases such as these. Doctors sometimes tie the hands of patients so that they do not accidentally disconnect the breathing tube.
Halfon's arms had been tied in the past but were not when the incident happened.
There are currently over 1,200 COVID-19 patients who are hospitalized in serious condition, and some hospitals are experiencing heavy pressure.
Laniado Hospital said it was investigating the incident and would pass its findings to the Health Ministry. It passed condolences to Halfon's family.
"Laniado has been coping with a large number of patients throughout the fifth wave. Just recently 13 patients waited for hours in the emergency room until they were moved to the COVID ward. The hospital staff along with all of the medical and nursing teams in the country is doing all it can to give the best possible care in these difficult times," the hospital said.