In the next two weeks, Israel will carry out some 100,000 tests to look for coronavirus antibodies among the population of Israel and determine to what extent the population could be exposed to a second wave of COVID-19, Health Ministry Director Moshe Bar Siman-Tov said in an interview to the New York Times Magazine.
During the interview, Bar Siman-Tov confirmed that the tests would be conducted in clinics and that the "operation" would begin in a week or two. He called the program "One of the biggest efforts to test for antibodies and the body's ability to withstand COVID-19."
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The results of the extensive testing will play a decisive role in decisions about removing more restrictions imposed to check the spread of the virus, as well as in preparing for the expected second wave.
"We were lucky, COVID-19 caught us right after the big wave of winter flu, but we can't promise that the outbreak of the 'second wave' won't be at the height of the flu season," Bar Siman-Tov told the magazine.
Germany has also announced that it will be conducting representative sampling for coronavirus antibodies among the population.
Meanwhile, another Israeli has succumbed to COVID-19, bringing the country's death toll to 238, the Health Ministry reported Wednesday.
The total number of confirmed cases in Israel since the virus was first identified here stands at 16,314. The number of active cases stood at 5,549 on Wednesday, 247 of whom were hospitalized, including 90 patients listed in serious condition. Of those 90, 70 were on ventilators.
Another 55 patients were listed in moderate condition, and 10,527 Israelis who contracted the virus have recovered.
