Libyan medical authorities have increased random COVID-19 testing and sample collection, hoping it will help curb the spread of the virus, mainly in the capital which has the highest rate of infections.
The number of coronavirus cases is increasing rapidly in Libya, compared to the number of tests conducted daily, at a time when dozens of citizens refuse to declare their positive results, according to medical sources.
The National Center for Disease Control announced Wednesday that 13 of its laboratories had received 2,815 testing samples from over 33 cities and municipalities around the country.
It indicated that 529 samples came back positive, 270 of which are located in Tripoli.
The country’s total number of coronavirus reached 75,465, including 28,285 active cases, while 46,127 recovered and 1,053 died, announced the Center.
It explained that laboratories received fewer numbers of testing samples, resulting in the drop of cases during the past 24 hours, pointing out that occasional power outages in some cities also affect the number of samples tested.
The Center posted a video showing Tripoli municipality conducting random testing and taking swabs from citizens, as part of its campaign to detect virus outbreak.
Head of campaign, Atallah Soleiman Gharibeh, said in a press statement that the campaign is working all the time to spread awareness among citizens on the need to adhere to the precautions.
Meanwhile, Zliten Medical Center, to the west of Libya, stated Tuesday that it had opened another isolation center after the first one became full, as the cases continue to rise in the area.
In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) spokesman in Libya, Ahmad Saad, announced the arrival of a shipment of personal protective equipment, medicines for chronic diseases, and an oxygen ventilator to al-Qubbah Hospital, in eastern Libya.
The Benghazi Medical Center launched a campaign for seasonal influenza vaccination targeting the most vulnerable groups, along with medical teams and assisting teams who are in direct contact with patients, namely those infected with COVID-19.
