Lebanon Records 1,119 New COVID-19 Cases, 9 Deaths

By Staff, Agencies

Lebanon recorded 1,119 new coronavirus cases and nine deaths Monday, as caretaker Health Minister Hamad Hasan called for a total lockdown amid a persistent surge in infections.

An official source said that the country would most likely enter a full lockdown starting Nov. 14 and ending Nov. 30. During this period, there will be a curfew from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. The airport is expected to remain open, according to the source.

Among the registered cases, 40 were from incoming travelers.

According to the Health Ministry, there were 6,442 PCR tests administered in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate of the tests stood at over 17 percent.

Public health consultant Sara Chang said in a tweet that Lebanon’s average test positivity rate of last week indicated the virus was spreading rapidly and there were not enough tests being administered.

“Average test positivity over last week is nearly 15 percent, pointing towards uncontrolled spread and dangerously low testing levels,” Chang said.

A total of 95,355 people have now been infected with COVID-19 since it was first detected in the country on Feb. 21. A total of 732 people have died due to coronavirus complications, according to the Health Ministry’s report.

The accelerating spread of coronavirus cases has caused alarm among government officials, several of whom are now stressing the importance of a full lockdown in Lebanon to curb the spread of the virus.

Hasan said in a news conference Monday that a total lockdown would help hospitals step up their capacity to take in coronavirus patients.

“A total lockdown is a chance for hospitals to raise the level of their readiness,” Hasan said.

Later during the day, Hasan also told local media that 60 ICU beds would be added to government hospitals in the next two weeks.

A total of 305 coronavirus patients are currently in critical condition.

President Michel Aoun has called for the Higher Defense Council to convene for an extraordinary session Tuesday to discuss health measures to tackle the coronavirus situation.