Lebanon Confirms 1,960 New COVID-19 Cases, 14 More Deaths

By Staff, Agencies

Lebanon registered 14 new coronavirus-related deaths and 1,960 cases Thursday, bringing the total number of cases since February 21 to 152,893.

Among the newly recorded cases, 28 were from travelers arriving in Lebanon. The total number of deaths now stands at 1,248.

The Health Ministry said 995 patients were hospitalized, with 406 in the ICU and 139 on mechanical ventilation.

A total of 14,044 PCR tests were administered in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate of the tests in the last two weeks stood at 12.6 percent.

With the lockdown lifted at the beginning of the month and social gatherings permitted again although with stricter rules, a new surge in cases is expected in the new year as the holiday season ends.

Meanwhile caretaker Health Minister Hamad Hassan announced that coronavirus wings had been prepared in public hospitals in Dinnieh, Rashaya, Hasbaya, Jezzine and other areas, indicating an increase in the level of readiness to face the unrelenting virus.