Libya Warns of Surge in COVID-19 Infections

Doctors in Kabaw treat an infant infected with the coronavirus. (Kabaw municipal council)
Doctors in Kabaw treat an infant infected with the coronavirus. (Kabaw municipal council)
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Libya Warns of Surge in COVID-19 Infections

Doctors in Kabaw treat an infant infected with the coronavirus. (Kabaw municipal council)
Doctors in Kabaw treat an infant infected with the coronavirus. (Kabaw municipal council)

Libyan authorities have warned on Saturday of a surge in COVID-19 infections as new cases were confirmed among children and infants.

In the meantime, citizens are still awaiting the arrival of vaccines that have not been delivered on time according to the pledges of the outgoing Government of National Accord (GNA).

The Medical Advisory Committee to Combat the Coronavirus in al-Wahat, southwestern Libya, urged citizens to adhere to the preventative measures in order to stem the spread of the pandemic amid a wave of panic among them over the quick transmission of the virus and the increased number of deaths.

The committee attributed this increase to the people’s non-compliance with precautions. It warned that the surge would continue if they failed to respect health regulations.

Meanwhile, the northwestern Kabaw municipality launched a campaign on Friday to test infants and children between the ages of one month and 18 years in an effort to curb the outbreak in the area after it recorded a number of infections in this age category.

Local authorities warned that the second wave of the pandemic was more severe than the first and that people of all ages have not been spared from it.

The GNA had struck agreements for the delivery of 12 million vaccine shots that should have arrived in the country in late March, but the shipments have been delayed.

Head of the new Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdulhamid Dbeibeh pledged to quickly provide the jabs “no matter the cost,” stressing that his government has set this issue as a priority.



Almost Half of Attacks on Heath Care in Lebanon Have Been Deadly, WHO Says

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
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Almost Half of Attacks on Heath Care in Lebanon Have Been Deadly, WHO Says

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)

The World Health Organization says nearly half of the attacks on health care in Lebanon have been deadly since the Middle East conflict erupted in October last year, the highest such rate anywhere in the world.

The UN health agency says 65 out of 137, or 47%, of recorded “attacks on health care” in Lebanon over that time period have proven fatal to at least one person, and often many more.

WHO’s running global tally counts attacks, whether deliberate or not, that affect places like hospitals, clinics, medical transport, and warehouses for medical supplies, as well as medics, doctors, nurses and the patients they treat.

Nearly half of attacks on health care in Lebanon since last October and the majority of deaths occurred since an intensified Israeli military campaign began against Hezbollah in the country two months ago.

The health agency said 226 health workers and patients have been killed and 199 injured in Lebanon between Oct. 7, 2023 and this Monday.