Gamzu on death of 47-year-old corona patient: 'I take responsibility'

• Published date: 17 January 2021
• Author: MAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The former coronavirus commissioner, who spent three months at the forefront of the country's battle against COVID-19, was responding to the tragic death of 47-year-old Moshe Harazy from the Yad Eliyahu neighborhood of Tel Aviv. He died Friday night when his ventilator's breathing tube detached and staff did not catch it in time.

As a result, the medical center reduced its general care beds to add more staffing support to its coronavirus units.

Gamzu told KAN Radio that he will "try very hard to visit the family and offer a personal explanation." He said he went to visit his own staff already and to strengthen them over the weekend.

"It is very complex," he told the radio station. "Such a thing should not happen, and we will all learn a lesson. I will not lie, the heavy caseload is taking its toll."

Israeli hospitals have been bursting at their seams in recent weeks, opening additional coronavirus units as the daily patient count continues to climb. As of Saturday night, the Health Ministry reported 8,398 new cases - 8.5% of...