An 87-year-old woman became Israel’s 19th swine flu fatality, succumbing to the illness in Ichilov Hospital.

Health Ministry officials continue monitoring the situation, with an emphasis placed on the nation’s schools, fearing a possible outbreak resulting from students returning to the classroom.

The government has ordered vaccines but most believe the vaccine, which may not be as effective as hoped, will only be arriving after the winter, with the World Health Organization releasing warnings of possible serious outbreaks of the illness during winter flu season.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)