An unprecedented rise in the number of coronavirus cases in Lebanon has stoked fears that hospitals will be overwhelmed.
“This critical situation is prompting talks about a possible return to a full lockdown as of this week,” Lebanese MP Issam Araji, who heads the parliament's public health committee, told Asharq Al-Awsat.
On Sunday, the Ministry of Public Health announced that 168 new COVID-19 cases were registered in the country, raising the total to 3,746.
Among them is "Strong Republic" MP George Okais, whose infection has stocked concerns that he could have transmitted the disease to members of parliament.
Several politicians, who have recently met the MP, including Lebanese Forces Leader Samir Geagea and Speaker Nabih Berri, carried out tests and their results came back negative.
“If numbers continue to rise in the next couple of days, we must take a decision to return to a total lockdown, except for some sectors,” Araji said.
He explained that such decision would not have a big effect on the economy because Lebanon is closing for two days this week on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha.
The deputy is particularly concerned about the inability of the health sector to cope with rising cases.
He said private hospitals are not well equipped to face a larger outbreak.
“The head of Private Hospitals Syndicate informed us that in case COVID-19 spreads across Lebanon, hospitals will be overwhelmed,” Araji said.
The outbreak would also put a strain on the public health sector, which has no more than 1,900 hospital beds, in addition to 350 beds for intensive care and 170 for patients who need ventilators.
On Sunday, several municipalities announced clusters of COVID-19 cases, urging residents to respect preventive measures.
The Lebanese Red Cross also revealed in a statement that 17 of its paramedics in Zahle have been infected, and are now observing home quarantine.
Also, the Beirut Bar Association announced the closure of its offices for four days starting on Monday after a lawyer contracted the virus.
