Morocco Tries to Contain Pandemic by Imposing Strict Measures

Morocco imposes strict measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak. MAP
Morocco imposes strict measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak. MAP
TT

Morocco Tries to Contain Pandemic by Imposing Strict Measures

Morocco imposes strict measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak. MAP
Morocco imposes strict measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak. MAP

Morocco’s Prime Minister Saad-Eddine El Othmani said his government is taking all responsibility for managing the coronavirus pandemic and continues to assess the spread of the COVID-19 disease on a weekly basis or more.

In press statements on Tuesday, Othmani said some new decisions have been made to deal rapidly with new infections.

The government aims at reducing the number of infections by imposing quick measures, he affirmed, noting that any delay could have heavy consequences.

“All countries in the work often resort to strict decisions when it comes to the pandemic.”

“There isn’t any country or government in the world that wishes to close its economy or limit the movement of its citizens,” the PM said.

The Health Ministry announced on Tuesday a new record number of recoveries from COVID-19 amounting to 3,426 in the past 24 hours, raising the tally to 84,158 recoveries.

It also recorded 1,376 new cases, bringing the country’s tally to 103,119 since the first case was reported on March 2.

The ministry recorded 25 new deaths, increasing the death toll to 1,855, and saying the mortality rate remains at 1.8 percent.

The new cases were distributed as follows: Casablanca (495), Rabat-Sale-Kenitra (296), Beni Mellal-Khenifra (88), Marrakech-Safi region (86), Souss-Massa (84) and Tangier-Tetouan-al Hoceima (79).

Morocco’s cumulative infection rate during the past 24 hours has become 284 infections per 100,000 people, and the infection index is 3.8 per 100,000 people.

Moroccan health authorities excluded 20,085 suspected COVID-19 cases.

A total of approximately 2,307,457 suspected COVID-19 carriers have tested negative for the virus so far.

The number of active cases currently receiving treatment is 17,106, or 47.1 cases per 100,000 people.

Morocco counts 300 patients with severe symptoms, including 41 on ventilators.

In other news, the Pasteur Institute of Morocco (IPM) announced on Monday that it will continue to perform PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests.

In accordance with the Ministry of Health's anti-coronavirus strategy, the IPM has been making these tests at the reference laboratory for emerging and dangerous viruses at the rate of some 2,000 tests per day since the pandemic’s outbreak in the Kingdom, it said in a statement.



Erdogan Says Türkiye in Close Dialogue with Syria’s Sharaa

A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)
A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)
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Erdogan Says Türkiye in Close Dialogue with Syria’s Sharaa

A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)
A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)

Türkiye is in close dialogue with Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, adding visits to Syria will increase from now on.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Erdogan said Türkiye would provide the Syrian people with all the support they needed to consolidate their gains.

"In the future of Syria and our region, there is no place for any terrorist organization, including ISIS and the PKK," he said, adding Türkiye’s unwavering line is to protect Syria's territorial integrity and unity under all circumstances.