Lebanon COVID-19 Cases Tick Higher although 1M Already Received First Jab

By Staff, Agencies

Lebanon registered 207 new coronavirus cases and two deaths in the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry said Sunday, although the number of people who have received a first jab topped 1 million.

Meanwhile, the total number of cases stands at 545,570 infections with 7,861 deaths in Lebanon since the virus was first detected in the country in February 2020.

Over the past 24 hours, 2,764 first-stage coronavirus vaccines were administered, bringing the total to 1,003,178 individuals, or 21%, who have received the jab since the rollout began five months ago.

A further 116 second doses were administered, resulting in a total of 504,795 people or 10.6% of the eligible population who are now fully vaccinated.

Earlier in the week the Health Ministry reported Lebanon's first cases of the Delta variant of the virus, news that was met with alarm by the country's health and scientific community, as the variant is believed to be the most contagious mutation of COVID-19 yet.

Along with the low level of immunity among the population as the vaccine rollout trickles on and the easing of virus safety measures, the variant risks catching people off guard and surging infection numbers.