On Friday, March 20th, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health confirmed that the total of coronavirus cases in Lebanon has surpassed 160 after 14 new positive cases were recorded.
In its daily COVID-19 report, the ministry stated: “From February 21st until March 20th, 2020, the total of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases has reached 163.”
The total reflects all confirmed cases across Lebanon, including those recorded by Rafik Hariri University hospital as well as other university hospitals accredited by the Health Ministry.
In the report, the ministry restated that it’s still undergoing epidemiological investigation on some recently diagnosed cases to determine how they contracted the coronavirus.
Additionally, it “continues to monitor samples from all suspected cases, as well as monitor all contacts and arrivals from countries experiencing a local spread of the virus.”
Moreover, it affirmed again that all citizens must “adhere to the strict measures issued by the official references and to stay in their houses, except when absolutely necessary.”
The statement highlighted home isolation as a measure of utmost importance at this stage for all citizens.
According to the latest data provided by the Ministry of Public Health, as of Friday, March 20th, 4 of the total recorded cases are considered in critical condition, while the rest are stable.
Furthermore, 8 suspected patients remain in isolation awaiting their COVID-19 test results. Yesterday, the ministry confirmed 16 new COVID-19 positive cases, announcing the total to be 149 as of March 19th.
Also yesterday, Minister Hamad Hasan warned that the coronavirus has reached a more dangerous level. He declared this after he revealed that 6 of the newly-diagnosed COVID-19 patients had caught the virus “from an unknown origin.”
