The United Nations said it was concerned about the spike in coronavirus infections and related deaths in Libya, warning that the situation of COVID-19 is worsening in the south of the country.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Libya (OCHA) said Wednesday that the exacerbation of the epidemiological situation in the south puts additional pressure on the health care system and health workers.
OCHA indicated that the death of a doctor at Sabha Medical Center reveals the risks that frontline health workers face every day.
The Office lauded the sacrifices of the “white coat army” in Libya and called for continuous commitment to precautionary measures, such as wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
Meanwhile, a number of southern cities announced a partial curfew to limit the spread of the coronavirus, shutting down schools, universities, markets, and shops.
The National Center for Disease Control in Sabha warned that the city and the southern region are witnessing an unprecedented outbreak of the coronavirus.
Tripoli's National Center for Disease Control announced 33 new deaths and 910 positive cases, including 520 from the capital, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 141,598 with 128,928 recoveries.
The Sabha Municipal Council announced a two-week lockdown till March 20, due to the "alarming increase" in infections and deaths, and the failure to adhere to precautionary measures.
Jadu Municipal Council also suspended all classes until March 18, following a spike in coronavirus infections in the city.
The Council said that the decision came in response to the instructions of the head of the coronavirus control committee and the director of the municipality’s isolation center.
The country has seen a spike in the number of infections and deaths among the medical teams. The Medical Advisory Committee to Combat Coronavirus in al-Wahat announced the death of a nurse at the Isolation Center of Jalo General Hospital following complications caused by the COVID-19 disease.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister-designate Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh pledged to distribute the coronavirus vaccine as soon as possible.
The National Center for Disease Control said that Libya will purchase 12 million doses of the vaccine from four companies.
Head of the Supreme Advisory Committee to Combat Coronavirus in western Libya Khalifa al-Bakoush said earlier that vaccine distribution will begin mid-March with 300,000 doses.
