Lebanon’s Total Registered Coronavirus Cases Top 100k

By Staff, Agencies

Lebanon’s total registered coronavirus cases reached 100,703 Thursday, with 1,874 new cases confirmed over the last 24 hours.

Of the new cases, 41 were found among travelers from abroad. The Health Ministry recorded 12 new deaths due to virus complications bringing the death toll to 775.

A total of 13,605 PCR tests have been administered in the last 24 hours. The average positivity rate of the tests in the last two weeks stood at 14.6 percent, according to the Health Ministry’s report.

There are currently 300 people in a critical condition.

Lebanon has seen an unprecedented surge in virus cases over the last month, with daily cases well over the 1,000 mark, putting already weary hospitals and medical staff under immense pressure as ICUs reach capacity.

As daily cases continue to increase, the Interior Ministry announced Thursday that it would impose a curfew from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. during a full lockdown starting Nov. 14 until Nov. 30, to stem the spread of the virus.

Grocery stores will be permitted to operate from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Restaurants will be permitted to operate between the hours of 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. for delivery to customers outside of establishments only. Bakeries will be permitted to operate for 24 hours.

Gyms, malls, restaurants and cafes will be ordered to close to the public.