COVID-19: Number of confirmed cases in Morocco exceeds 100

The number of cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) confirmed in Morocco exceeded one hundred this Sunday after the Ministry of Health announced thirteen new cases between Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

 

With the thirteen additional cases, the total number of COVID-19 infected patients in the country jumps to 109.

 

Since the start of the outbreak, Moroccan laboratories have performed 498 medical tests for suspected COVID-19 cases that came out negative.

 

The epidemic has so far claimed the lives of three people: An 89-year-old woman, a 75-year-old man, and a 39-year-old man. Three people recovered from the virus in Morocco, including two Moroccans, and a Senegalese-French woman who had arrived in Fez, coming from France.

 

On March 18, Minister of Health Khalid Ait Taleb reported the appearance of local clusters of infection and the following day, Morocco declared a state of health emergency to keep the epidemic under control.

Under the state of emergency, entered into force Friday March 20 at 6 p.m., citizens are called to stay home and to limit their movement and travel to health and professional reasons.

 

In this connection, Morocco’s Ministry of the Interior announced Saturday the suspension of all intercity travels, by public and private transport means, the National Railways Office (ONCF) announced the same day that it will suspend all train connections with the exception of some proximity trains, while the national carrier suspended all its domestic flights.

The bans do not concern the transport of goods and basic products, which is carried out normally to meet the daily needs of citizens.

Morocco had earlier taken a set of other preventive measures to limit the propagation of the virus. After it suspended air and maritime connections and closed land borders, Morocco, as of Monday, March 16 at 6 p.m., ordered the closure of all public venues considered “non-essential”, such as cafés and restaurants, gyms, hammams (public baths), cinemas, mosques and other gathering spaces. It cancelled sporting events and all cultural, artistic, music and religious festivals.

Also beginning Monday, March 16, classes in all educational public and private institutions, from kindergartens to universities, have been cancelled until further notice. Lessons are provided online or via TV.