Lebanon on the Edge: No Beds Left for Coronavirus Patients Published January 7th, 2021 - 06:35 GMT
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Fourth lockdown follows record daily infections and warnings of ‘worse to come’
Lebanon’s health system is on the brink of collapse as the country begins a 25-day nationwide lockdown to battle a record surge in coronavirus infections.
The lockdown starting on Thursday the country’s fourth in just over 10 months follows a dramatic spike in the infection rate, with 3,620 cases reported in a single day, the highest number since the outbreak began in late February, 2020.
Amid growing alarm at the deteriorating situation, health officials warned that hospitals are running out of beds and intensive care facilities are being overwhelmed.
Lebanon begins new lockdown after coronavirus hits daily record
07 Jan 2021 People pass in front the emergency entrance of the government-run Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut. File/AP
Gulf Today Report
Lebanon has begun a 25-day nationwide lockdown after health ministry confirmed a new daily record of 4,166 coronavirus infections on Wednesday.
According to health ministry figures, since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Lebanon has recorded nearly 200,000 cases including 1,537 deaths. A total of 21 people died on Wednesday.
To limit the spread of the coronavirus Lebanon has gone to its third lockdown as virus hits a new record in the Mediterranean nation and patients overwhelm the health care sector.
BEIRUT: Lebanon’s health system is on the brink of collapse as the country begins a 25-day nationwide lockdown to battle a record surge in coronavirus infections.
The lockdown starting on Thursday the country’s fourth in just over 10 months follows a dramatic spike in the infection rate, with 3,620 cases reported in a single day, the highest number since the outbreak began in late February, 2020.
Amid growing alarm at the deteriorating situation, health officials warned that hospitals are running out of beds and intensive care facilities are being overwhelmed.
Pharmacists also told Arab News that stocks of drugs and medicines required to treat coronavirus patients are running low because of the rising demand.
The capacity of Lebanon’s already strained public health sector to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak is limited. The Syrian and Palestinian refugee populations, as well as people in places of detention, are particularly vulnerable to the spread of the virus.
Lebanon : COVID-19 Response, December 2020
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The capacity of Lebanon’s already strained public health sector to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak is limited. The Syrian and Palestinian refugee populations, as well as people in places of detention, are particularly vulnerable to the spread of the virus.
The ICRC’s response is focused on:
1- Supporting Rafik Hariri University Hospital, the primary hospital responding to the crisis, maximizing its capacity and response.
2- Supporting preventive and response activities in places of detention.
3- Cooperating with the Lebanese Red Cross to provide training and sensitization awareness sessions
4- Supporting vulnerable families affected by the pandemic.