Libya Reports New Cases of COVID-19 Variant

Part of an awareness session on the covid-19 pandemic sponsored by the International Organization for Migration in Libya. (IOM)
Part of an awareness session on the covid-19 pandemic sponsored by the International Organization for Migration in Libya. (IOM)
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Libya Reports New Cases of COVID-19 Variant

Part of an awareness session on the covid-19 pandemic sponsored by the International Organization for Migration in Libya. (IOM)
Part of an awareness session on the covid-19 pandemic sponsored by the International Organization for Migration in Libya. (IOM)

Health authorities in Libya have announced detecting cases of the novel coronavirus that was first discovered in the UK, raising fears over the increase in the number of infections in the country.

In a statement on Thursday, the Libyan National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) said a group of experts on Viruses and Molecular Biology at the Community Health Reference Laboratory conducted a series of tests to detect the new coronavirus variant discovered in London in early January.

The testing conducted on 88 randomized covid-positive samples showed that 23 cases were of the new variant, representing 26 percent of all the total number of samples.

The NCDC pointed out that detecting the new variant in Libya sparks concern as this mutation is distinguished by a rapid transmission rate that could cause a concerning spike in the number of cases.

“People’s continued disregard and non-abidance by the preventative measures will further spread the virus and possibly increase the number of deaths,” it stressed.

Health authorities have been complaining since the pandemic’s outbreak about people’s negligence in applying precautionary measures, especially in popular markets, shops and during social events.

In addition, many do not believe in the coronavirus existence, which, according to Libyan doctors, has led to the spread of the virus.

The center stressed the need to continue tracking the new variant as well as obtaining the needed funding for this process.

The NCDC recorded 2,156 deaths and 571 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, raising the total number of infections to 131,833, of which 118,791 have recovered.



UN Human Rights Office Concerned About Israeli Strikes on Civilians in Lebanon 

Smoke rises above south Lebanon following an Israeli strike amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, May 5, 2024. (Reuters) 
Smoke rises above south Lebanon following an Israeli strike amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, May 5, 2024. (Reuters) 
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UN Human Rights Office Concerned About Israeli Strikes on Civilians in Lebanon 

Smoke rises above south Lebanon following an Israeli strike amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, May 5, 2024. (Reuters) 
Smoke rises above south Lebanon following an Israeli strike amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, May 5, 2024. (Reuters) 

The United Nations human rights office is concerned about the protection of civilians in Lebanon as Israeli military operations have continued to kill civilians since the ceasefire.

"Israeli military operations in Lebanon continue to kill and injure civilians, and destroy civilian infrastructure, raising concerns regarding the protection of civilians," the spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the High Commissioner of Human Rights, Thameen Al-Kheetan, told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday.

At least 71 civilians - including 14 women and nine children - have been killed by Israeli forces in Lebanon, since the ceasefire came into effect on 27 November last year, and 92,000 are still displaced, according to OHCHR.

"We are calling for investigations into all allegations of violations...Each and every military action where civilians are killed must be investigated," Al-Kheetan said.

"The ceasefire must hold and any escalation is a risk for stability in general in Lebanon, Israel and the whole region," he added.