Covid-19: Tightening of precautionary measures as Morocco records a surge in confirmed cases
Morocco recorded over the past few days an increase of the new coronavirus cases that numbered Friday 281 in 24 hours, the highest daily increase in the country since the first case was recorded on March 2, and 106 new cases this Saturday.
The surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases came as the Ministry of Health identified new epicenters and increased the number of tests conducted nationwide. The ministry announced 125 new cases on Tuesday, followed by 136 on Wednesday, 259 on Thursday, and 281 on Friday.
Large numbers of cases were recorded in hot spots in some industrial and production units, mainly in Casablanca, fez and Marrakech.
To remedy the situation, three ministerial departments have stepped in and urged companies and industrial units to reinforce precautionary measures.
The ministries of Health, Industry & Commerce, and Employment have actually instructed bosses and managers of companies, industrial units and supermarkets to reinforce precautionary measures and implement strict hygiene rules at workplaces according to a daily and regular program.
The companies need to see to it that employees and customers can wash hands regularly, and need to improve ventilation of the premises, the ministerial departments pointed out in a joint statement.
They also insisted on the compulsory wearing of protective masks, on the need to reorganize work in order to reduce the number of employees and customers, in addition to reducing the number of employees during the commute.
The ministerial departments urged employees to strictly observe measures put in place at workplaces.
Joint committees will monitor compliance with these recommendations and will take repressive measures against offenders, the statement said.
In its morning daily update this Saturday, the Ministry of Health confirmed 106 new cases of COVID-19, 17 recoveries, and two more deaths.
Total cases in the country stand at 2,670, including 298 recoveries and 137 deaths.
Since the start of the outbreak, health authorities have conducted tests on 10,441 suspected COVID-19 carriers that came back negative.
Actually, Morocco has stepped up coronavirus tests as six university hospitals started conducting coronavirus tests bringing the number of total laboratories testing for covid-19 to nine. Many other labs in different regions are being prepared for the same task.
Meanwhile, insisting reports indicate that the health emergency to initially end on Monday April 20 will be extended for few more weeks.
On Friday, Head of Government, Saad Dine El Otmani, called for more patience, while underlining the need to observe the precautionary measures issued by the public authorities in order to address this difficult circumstances and the stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking at the opening of the government council, El Otmani said despite the important efforts made by the kingdom to face the pandemic, there is still a long way to go, as confirmed cases are increasing every day and several patients are in intensive care units.
