Defense Secretary Benny Gantz ordered the IDF to make preparations to establish field hospitals for coronavirus patients as Israel’s hospitals begin overflowing.

Gantz made the decision following a situational assessment with senior IDF officials on Monday.

The defense ministry stated that the field hospitals will be established in cooperation with the health ministry and will be used only in case of urgent need.

A field hospital would house about 200 beds and requires several weeks of preparation which will begin immediately to ensure completion before the onset of the winter, when the health system is expected to become overloaded.

Earlier on Monday, the Assuta Medical Center in Ashdod announced it cannot accept additional coronavirus patients.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)