Lebanon Reports An Increase In COVID-19 Cases Post Beirut Blast
Hospitals are nearly at capacity, as the country’s cases rise in the wake of the explosion which occurred in Beirut on August 4
Lebanon is facing a surge in coronavirus cases after a devastating explosion, which occurred in the port of Beirut two weeks ago.
According to Arabian Business, the country’s Health Minister warned that hospitals are reaching a maximum capacity to try and treat coronavirus cases. Ahead of the increase, medical officials warned the dangers of crowding at hospitals in the aftermath of the explosion.
During this time of pain, sorrow, chaos & uncertainty, we search for a purpose that unites us. #Covid_19 positive rate has increased from 2.1% to 5.6% in 4weeks. The virus doesn't differentiate between us. A rate >5% is real threat to all our nation. #WearAMask & #SaveYourLife pic.twitter.com/vLqqRrDeYL
— Petra Khoury (@petra_khoury) August 16, 2020
“It is a matter of life and death,” Health Minister Hamad Hassan said, adding that soon private and public hospitals might not be able to take more patients.
Dr Firas Abiad, director general of Rafik Hariri University Hospital, which is leading the fight against coronavirus, described the situation as “extremely worrisome,” warning that without a lockdown, the numbers will continue to rise “overwhelming the hospital capacity,” according to the business magazine.
On Sunday, August 16 Lebanon registered 456 new virus cases and six fatalities. The new diagnosis bring the total number of cases to 9,337. 105 people have died from the novel coronavirus in Lebanon since the pandemic started earlier this year.
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/unitednationshumanrights