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The World Health Organization has noted an increase in the number of cases and deaths from the Covid-19 disease in a number of countries in the Middle East, despite a notable decrease in the number of injuries and deaths for eight weeks consecutive.
Libya, Iran, Iraq and Tunisia have all reported a significant increase in COVID-19 cases. Lebanon and Morocco have also started to see an increase in the number of cases following an expected increase in these two countries over the coming weeks, according to the organization’s statement dated July 13, which the organization said. organization posted on its Twitter account on Wednesday.
In the statement, the director of the World Health Organization for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr Ahmed bin Salem Al-Mandhari, confirmed: “We are reaching a critical moment regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in our region. . Just one week after reaching the painful stage of 11 million cases of infection. We are now witnessing a sharp escalation in a number of countries. “
“This situation is also exacerbated by the new mutations that are spreading – the most worrying of which is the delta mutation – the low availability and uptake of vaccines, and a lack of commitment to public health and social measures,” he said. he added.
“Disastrous consequences” coinciding with Eid al-Adha
As part of the blessed Eid al-Adha during the week of July 20, the World Health Organization expressed fears that “the current sudden rise will continue until it reaches its peak in the coming weeks. , with catastrophic consequences ”.
Al-Mandhari added that “countries are reintroducing or reinforcing social and travel restrictions again, but the growing inaction of companies at this point means the virus is spreading in the region.”
“As mutations continue to spread, we need everyone to receive vaccines as soon as they are available, as well as to continue to wear masks and respect physical distancing. Despite significant progress, there is still a shocking imbalance in the distribution of vaccines around the world, leaving millions of people vulnerable to worrying fatal mutations. ”
He stressed that “it is not too late to reverse the trajectory of this pandemic, but more efforts are needed at the global, regional and national levels”.
The organization has posted on its website a number of questions and answers related to maintaining security during the Eid celebration.
WHO said the total number of cases in the region now exceeds 11.4 million, while the death toll has been recorded at over 223,000 deaths, and 19 out of 22 countries are now reporting the spread of at least a new mutation.
Tunisia
The organization said Tunisia has recorded the highest death rate from Covid-19 in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region and the African continent.
She noted: “The situation in Tunisia remains extremely worrying. Currently, between 8,000 and 9,500 cases are reported each day with the delta mutation spreading widely. In less than a week, the number of deaths nearly doubled, from 119 deaths on July 5. “to 189 deaths on July 8.
She noted that despite the increasing distribution of vaccines, “especially among those over 60,” it is still low, and indicated that 12.7 percent of the population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. , while 6 percent received full doses of the vaccine. the vaccine.
She noted that the high number of injuries has put pressure on the health system in Tunisia, where “the occupancy rate of oxygen beds is 90 percent, while the occupancy rate of single beds is of intensive care is 95 percent “.
“In some governorates, hospitals are suffering from overcrowding as hospitals are overcrowded with patients with limited beds available and are at risk of running out of oxygen supply. In addition, hospitals also suffer from limited human resources as dedicated doctors. the staff are doing their job to the max, but they are exhausted.
Iran … for the worst
The organization confirmed that Iran has seen an increase in the number of cases since mid-June, “the daily average has almost doubled in the past four weeks, from 8,539 cases in the week that started June 6 to 16,393 cases in the week that began July 4. After the 8-week continuous decline, the number of deaths has also increased in the past two weeks.
Authorities blamed the increase on mass gatherings and travel during Nowruz, the country’s biggest holiday at the end of March, saying compliance with health measures, such as social distancing and wearing masks, declined significantly during the holidays, the organization said.
The daily average in Iraq has doubled
In Iraq, cases of infection have increased since the end of May, “with the daily average doubling over the past five weeks, with the number of cases rising from 4,010 in the week that began May 30. at 8,076 in the week that began July 4th. “
The organization confirmed that it has also seen an increase in the number of deaths in the past three weeks.
She noted that less than one percent of the population has received a single dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Libya … an increase of 425% in less than a month
In Libya, cases saw a significant increase from the week of July 4.
She said the daily average of cases increased by 425%, with cases rising from 246 cases in the week that started June 20 to 1,293 cases in the week that started July 4.
“Concerning alpha and beta mutations have been officially confirmed in Libya, and the spread of the delta mutation is suspected due to its presence in neighboring countries. As a result, the border with Tunisia was closed for a week. Vaccination coverage remains low with partial vaccination. only 5.6%, “she added.% of the population.
Morocco, West, sunset
In Morocco, cases of infection have been steadily increasing since mid-May, with the daily average rising from 170 during the week that started May 9 to 1,066 during the week that started July 4.
The organization noted that “worrying alpha and delta mutations have been discovered, which prompted the Moroccan government to announce the extension of the state of emergency until August 10”.
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