Over 3 million COVID-19 tests conducted by MDA since start of pandemic

MDA carries out testing at drive-thru testing centers, nursing homes, schools and the homes of Israeli residents who can't come to testing sites.

Magen David Adom workers wearing protective clothing seen outside the coronavirus unit at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, September 6, 2020 (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)
Magen David Adom workers wearing protective clothing seen outside the coronavirus unit at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, September 6, 2020
(photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)
Over three million coronavirus tests have been conducted by Magen David Adom (MDA) in Israel since the beginning of the pandemic, the emergency response service announced on Saturday.
MDA carries out testing at drive-thru testing centers, nursing homes, schools and the homes of Israeli residents who can't come to testing sites.
A total of 3,078,643 tests had been conducted by MDA throughout Israel as of Saturday.
The announcement comes as testing is being transferred over to private companies. MDA staff will continue conducting tests for HMOs throughout Israel and at drive-thru testing centers.
"With the outbreak of the coronavirus in Israel at the end of February, MDA, the national rescue organization, set up a professional testing system to which the eyes of the whole world were focused," said director-general Eli Bin. "MDA workers and volunteers tested tens of thousands of people every day, acting without fear and with great dedication to save lives at point-blank range of the disease – and for that they deserve appreciation.
"As always, MDA stands prepared and ready for any national challenge required of it, including to carry out vaccinations for the coronavirus amounting to tens of thousands daily," he said. "I would like to express thanks for the trust placed in MDA since the beginning of the outbreak of the virus."