The IDF is preparing to open four treatment centers across the country for coronavirus patients. The facilities are mostly earmarked for soldiers who contract the virus, to reduce the stress on civilian hospitals, but will also admit civilians if the need arises.
The initiative is being spearheaded by the IDF's Technological and Logistics Directorate. The first facility will open in Military Hospital 10 in Haifa, in northern Israel. Additional facilities are slated to open in Jerusalem, Tzrifin in central Israel and in the south. Each designated ward will hold 30-50 beds and will be located near civilian hospitals, mainly to facilitate the efficient transfer of patients in moderate and critical conditions.
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Ahead of each opening, the army has begun training the respective medical staff. The IDF currently possesses some 1,000 respirators, and aside from a certain amount reserved for operational needs, the rest will be used to help treat corona patients.
Meanwhile, the IDF's main laboratory at the Tzrifin base on Wednesday began testing for the coronavirus and will be able to conduct 30 tests per day. The lab will also serve the country's other security agencies. As part of the logistical effort, 350 military medical crews were trained and are testing civilians and transferring the tests to civilian labs across the country.
The IDF is working to increase the number of testing crews to 1,000. These crews will mainly consist of soldiers currently assigned to various other military courses – in the aim of relying mostly on regular troops rather than reservists.
Within the framework of preparing for the general quarantine, five logistics battalions were attached to the Home Front Command. Each battalion was assigned vehicles to deliver food and supplies to elderly civilians. The IDF is also preparing to help the police enforce the quarantine in cities across the country. Soldiers tasked with this mission are combat troops not presently designated for operational duty.
