Lebanon COVID-19 Cases Increase Following Beirut Explosion

• Health officials in Lebanon are requesting for a two-week lockdown to help curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country.
• The number of new infections have recently risen, following the tragic explosion in Beirut last August 4.
• “We don’t have the luxury of time,” warned Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hassan.

Lebanon is now seeing a significant increase in coronavirus cases following the tragic explosion that rocked Beirut last August 4. The said blast, which was caused by almost 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate stored at a port warehouse, claimed the lives of 180 victims and caused injuries to thousands.

Now health officials want the government to implement a two-week lockdown in an attempt to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Hospitals in Lebanon are now busier than ever as coronavirus cases have steadily been rising since the explosion in Beirut.

According to reports, the blast not only overcrowded hospitals in the city but also destroyed two – and both played big roles in containing the pandemic.

The Beirut blast killed and injured many. It also left numerous residents homeless.

Before cases started spiking, health experts have already been warning about the possible risks of overwhelemed hospitals and funerals because of the explosion.

Last Sunday, 439 new cases of coronavirus have been reported. The following day, the numbers even went higher with 456 new infections.

As of this reporting, Lebanon has a total of 8,881 confirmed Covid-19 cases, 2,724 deaths, and 103 recoveries.

Rafik Hariri University Hospital director Dr Firas Abiad said that the current situation in the country is “extremely worrisome” that’s why they’re recommending another lockdown.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Hamad Hassan continues to remind the public to wear masks, especially now that the virus has spread in all cities across the country. “It is a matter of life and death,” he said.

In a press conference, Hassan even emphasized:

“We are on the brink, we don’t have the luxury to take our time.”

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