More than 3,000 samples were expected to be taken by Magen David Adom medics at “drive through” complexes across the country on Monday, according to a spokesperson for the organization. Thousands more samples were to be taken at private homes.
In Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Be’er Sheva and now also in Bnei Brak and the Arab communities of Tamra, some 3,000 samples were expected to be carried out at the permanent and mobile sites set up by MDA and the Ministry of Health.
As of 9 am, special MDA ambulances transported some residents from their homes to the complex in Bnei Brak and returned them back immediately following the sampling, for those who had no private vehicle and no way to reach the site.
Others simply drove to the testing area in their own vehicle.
Simultaneously, MDA emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics are continuing to visit the private homes of other residents around the country to take thousands of other samples.
“MDA emphasizes that anyone who has symptoms, and is able to get on his own in a private vehicle to be tested at the “Drive Thru” complex, is asked to do so in order to allow MDA teams to reach the homes of people who cannot reach the complex as quickly as possible,” said MDA Paramedic School Director Dr. Shafir Botner.
“The test at the “Drive Thru ” complexes is conditional upon contacting Magen David Adom’s 101 hotline, making an appointment for the test and obtaining approval.
“Anyone approved by a physician to be sampled, receives an SMS message with the details and is then requested to arrive at the complex at the specified time.
“As part of the sampling process, the person arrives in their private vehicle to the complex with an ID card, and will have data identification and verification, after which sampling is taken by paramedic. Throughout the process, the driver remains in his vehicle, and then drives back directly to his home,” he said.
So far, 16,531 civilians have been sampled at the complexes. In total, since the coronavirus has spread worldwide, Magen David Adom’s paramedics have taken samples from 49,300 people nationwide.
“Thousands of coronavirus tests are performed every day across the country, with more and more citizens sampling at Magen David Adom’s” Drive Thru” complexes,” MDA Director-General Eli Bin said.
“We urge anyone who has symptoms during the isolation to contact MDA 101 Hotline. EMTs and paramedics also continue to take samples in the homes of people who are unable to reach the ” Drive Thru ” complexes on their own.
“I thank the municipality of Bnei Brak for the good cooperation in operating the mobile complex today, and of course to the MDA teams who are doing professional days and nights with dedication, as part of the national fight against the coronavirus.”