MDA and army open joint coronavirus call center facility

The IDF Home Front Command and Magen David Adom ambulance service have created a joint facility with a call center to respond specifically to the coronavirus, in an apparent bid to lighten the load on the regular emergency numbers.

This call center can be reached by dialing 101 on any phone, which is the regular MDA emergency number. Callers with coronavirus concerns will be diverted to the new call center.

“The call center is meant for people in quarantine at home who develop symptoms, like a fever above 38 degrees Celsius (100° Fahrenheit), a cough or difficulty breathing,” the IDF says.

The military says approximately 100 IDF reservists have been called up to help staff this call center 24 hours a day, though current restrictions mean only 10 people can staff it at any given time.

MDA in February already announced the creation of a special call center to deal with coronavirus inquiries.

— Judah Ari Gross