The 12 Israelis who have spent the last two weeks in isolation on the cruise ship Diamond Princess off the coast of Japan, for fear of having contracted the Corona virus, are expected to land at Ben Gurion Airport in the next few days.
MDA EMTs and paramedics are prepared to evacuate the 12 Israelis and will be protected by a special suit, mask, hat and glasses, according to the protocol for suspected infectious diseases.
The ambulances that were used in the evacuation will be disinfected in a special system which ensures that the health of the next patients and MDA teams inside the ambulance will not be affected.
MDA Medical Division Director Rami Miller said in a statement: “The Magen David Adom teams are prepared throughout the year, working skillfully and professionally wherever they are required to provide medical care and evacuation of patients suspected of carrying infectious diseases. Therefore, the issue of protecting MDA teams and disinfecting ambulances is not new for us, and we are experienced in this area.”
MDA Director General Eli Bin said in a statement: “At Magen David Adom, we are preparing for the evacuation of the 12 Israelis who will land in Israel, after a two-week stay on the cruise ship off the coast of Japan. We are working in full coordination and cooperation with the Health and Foreign Ministries, the Airport Authority and the Sheba hospital in Tel Hashomer.”