PHILO PHOTO: Health workers take swab samples from passengers arriving at Beirut International Airport on their renewed day following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), in Beirut, Lebanon July 1, 2020. REUTERS / Aziz Taher
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanon must shut down two weeks after a rise in coronavirus infections, the health minister said on Monday as the country plays off Beirut’s massive port.
“We are declaring a state of general warning today and we need a bold decision to close (the country) for two weeks,” Hamad Hassan told Voice of Lebanon radio.
Lebanon registered a record 439 new infections and six more deaths from the virus in 24 hours on Sunday.
The country, already deep in financial crisis, was struggling with a COVID-19 spike before the August 4 jump that killed at least 178 people, devastated swathes of the capital and drove the government to resign.
The warehouse explosion damaged many hospitals and overcame them with more than 6,000 injured. It put about half of Beirut’s 55 medical centers out of service, the World Health Organization (WHO) said last week.
“We are all facing a real challenge and the figures that have been recorded in the last period are shocking,” Hassan said. “The case requires decisive action.” Intensive care beds at state and private hospitals were now full, he added.
In comments to Reuters, Hassan said authorities would not close the country’s airport until now, with the rise coming mostly from the country.
“The real danger is the spread in society,” he said. “Everyone should be aware and take the strictest preventive measures.”
Still, after the explosion caused nearly a quarter of a million people, the risk of the virus spreading has increased, the WHO said. The country’s tally now stands at 8,881 cases and 103 deaths since February, according to health ministry data.
Written by Tom Perry and Ellen Francis; Edited by David Goodman, William Maclean
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