IDF to set up field clinics as Israel's hospitals overflow
As the number of infections continues to rise, Defense Minister Benny Gantz has ordered the Israeli army to prepare to run field hospitals to treat coronavirus patients.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz instructed the Israel Defense Forces on Monday to prepare for the opening of field hospitals to treat the COVID-19 outbreak. A statement issued by his ministry read, "Gantz has ordered staff to begin preparations to build an army field hospital that would contain about 200 beds." Gantz reportedly instructed the IDF to begin planning an exit strategy for the nationwide lockdown while simultaneously preparing for the possibility of more severe lockdown restrictions. In such a scenario, the police could require reinforcements to see restrictions are followed.
The IDF will also deploy hundreds of additional soldiers to do contact tracing in the coming days as Israel's coronavirus tzar Ronnie Gamzu has transferred the responsibility for contact tracing to the IDF. Thousands of Home Front Command soldiers were deployed last week to work with local authorities in handling the pandemic. The police enforce the lockdown, while the soldiers conduct tests, run quarantine hotels and distribute food.
