The World Health Organization has warned that Middle Eastern countries, which had kept their coronavirus infection rates under control, were now facing significant upticks, confirming that cases have topped two million.
The caseload for the 21 countries has more than doubled since July 1, the UN agency said.
Regional director Ahmed Mandhari warned that even countries like Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia, which had successfully controlled transmission a few months ago, “are now seeing an acceleration of cases.”
Other countries seeing increasing trends include Libya, the Palestinian territories, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, he said.
“To reduce risk of transmission in the coming weeks and months, individuals and communities must continue to implement the well-known and proven prevention measures, especially in settings such as social gatherings, schools and other public events. Wearing masks consistently when it is not possible to physically distance is one of the most effective means to protect ourselves and our families,” he added.
It is now six months since the WHO declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic.