Medics treat over 3,000 during Yom Kippur, deliver 4 babies

Medics treated 3,025 people over Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, which began Sunday at sundown and ended Monday evening, according to figures from the Magen David Adom emergency service.

Magen David Adom said 2,069 of those treated by its paramedics were taken to the hospital for further medical care.

The Jewish Day of Atonement is marked by fasting and prayer by many observant Jews, while many secular Israelis take advantage of the deserted roads and highways, filling the streets in droves over the holiday.

There were 307 bicycle, scooter and skateboard riders injured on the roads.

A 68-year-old man sustained a serious head injury when he fell off his bicycle in Haifa.

In addition, five people were moderately injured on the roads, and 301 were lightly hurt.

Medics also delivered four babies — two in Jerusalem, one in El-A’sam and one in Tel Mond — and 170 expectant mothers were taken to the hospital.

People walk on the empty road at the entrance to Jerusalem, on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, October 5, 2022. (Jamal Awad/Flash90)

MDA said 295 people were treated for dehydration or fainting brought on by fasting.

As sundown approached on Sunday, all local radio and television broadcasts gradually fell silent. Public transport was also halted, with buses and trains stopping their routes and Israeli air space closed to flights passing through.

For paramedics, Yom Kippur is one of the busiest days of the year, with hundreds of extra medics, paramedics, ambulances and volunteers deployed across the country. Hospitals were working with limited emergency medical crews only.