Lebanon records spike in Covid-19 cases, slides towards critical stage

Lebanon’s Health Minister, Hamad Hassan, disclosed on Monday July 21, 2020, that the country was sliding towards a critical stage after recording a new surge in infections.

The financially troubled Mediterranean country declared early lockdown and strict measures to contain the coronavirus.

Authorities have also aggressively tested, carried out random tests, and responsively isolated infected areas.

But the recent record poses a threat to the country after being praised for slowing down the initial spread of the pandemic.

Lebanon recently recorded double and triple digits of new infections, coupled with an increase in untraceable cases after lifting the lockdown restrictions and re-opening of airports.

The middle eastern country is faced with a crippling economic and financial crisis difficult to manage, considering the consequences of its long restrictions that saw thousands of people out of job.

The economic crisis has made government gradually relax many of the strict measures against the pandemic.

While Lebanon’s only airport reopened on July 1, 2020, Hassan said the reopening of the Beirut airport and the subsequent failure to adhere to strict isolation measures by nationals returning from abroad, as well as their relatives, caused the spike in infections.

Many returning expatriates visited relatives and attended social gatherings, which helped spread the virus.

Lebanon recorded 170 cases in one last week, compared to the an average of less than 20 cases a day before.

As it stands, Lebanon has reported more than 29,000 cases and 41 deaths, including the recent death of a front-line doctor on Monday.

Lebanon’s crisis predates the virus, which has only accelerated poverty and unemployment rates, currently at 45% and over 30% respectively.