Libya Intensifies Random Tests to Contain Coronavirus

A vaccination campaign in Janzour, western Libya (National Center for Disease Control)
A vaccination campaign in Janzour, western Libya (National Center for Disease Control)
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Libya Intensifies Random Tests to Contain Coronavirus

A vaccination campaign in Janzour, western Libya (National Center for Disease Control)
A vaccination campaign in Janzour, western Libya (National Center for Disease Control)

Libya deployed mobile clinics near the Martyrs' Square in Tripoli to administer the COVID-19 vaccines and fight the spread of the virus.

The National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) revealed that random tests in the Eastern Province on 2,096 citizens showed a positive rate of 7.6 percent. The center noted that malls, mosques, pharmacies, and cafes are places in which the virus can easily be transmitted.

Commenting on citizens’ adherence to the preventative precautions, NCDC stated that most of the answers in the survey showed negligence to the precautions.

In the same context, Sebha Medical Center in southern Libya complained that the medical teams were being verbally abused by the citizens. This led to some disturbances in the center.

It repeatedly called on the relevant authorities to protect them, but no serious actions were taken to solve this rapidly increasing problem.

Official figures in Libya have shown a remarkable decline in virus infection cases.

This coincides with discussions taking place between Health Minister Ali Al-Zanati and officials from health institutions in the southern region.

Talks covered the obstacles and problems which hospitals are suffering from due to the shortage in medical staff.

The health minister expressed keenness on backing the health sector in the south of the country.

He stressed his ministry’s readiness to tackle the shortage by signing contracts with healthcare members from the north, or even neighboring countries, to provide support.



Series of Israeli Airstrikes Hit Central Beirut, At Least 1 Building Destroyed

Rescue workers and people search for victims at the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit central Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Rescue workers and people search for victims at the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit central Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
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Series of Israeli Airstrikes Hit Central Beirut, At Least 1 Building Destroyed

Rescue workers and people search for victims at the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit central Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Rescue workers and people search for victims at the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit central Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Powerful Israeli airstrikes targeted central Beirut on Saturday, resulting in a large number of fatalities and injuries and destroying an eight-story building, Lebanon's National News Agency reported.

Footage broadcast by TV stations showed at least one destroyed building and several others badly damaged around it in the Basta neighborhood.

At least 11 people were killed and dozens injured. Lebanon's civil defense said the death toll was provisional as emergency responders were still digging through the rubble looking for survivors. 

Israel used bunker buster bombs in the strike, leaving a deep crater, said NNA. Beirut smelled strongly of explosives hours after the attack.
The blasts shook the capital around 4 a.m.

NNA said at least five bombs were dropped in the attack.
It marked the fourth Israeli airstrike this week targeting a central area of Beirut, where the bulk of Israel's attacks have targeted the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs.

On Sunday an Israeli airstrike killed Hezbollah's media relations chief Mohammad Afif in the Ras al-Nabaa district of central Beirut.

The Israeli military did not issue a warning for Basta's residents to evacuate prior to the strike and did not immediately issue a statement on it.

Israel has killed several Hezbollah leaders in airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs.

Meanwhile, heavy ground fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants was ongoing in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops have pushed farther from the border.