Coronavirus: Seven new cases confirmed in Morocco, bringing total to 61

The Moroccan Health Ministry confirmed this Thursday in two statements four and three new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases to 61.

 

According to the ministry, around 271 people have tested negative for the virus in Morocco.

 

At a press briefing Wednesday, the Minister of Health, Khalid Ait Taleb, said some local cases have started to appear, rather than patients carrying the virus from abroad as with the previous cases.

 

“The coming days will be decisive,” he said, urging people to focus on respecting all precautions to avoid the proliferation of the virus.

He said Morocco will move into the second phase if the number of cases exceeds 500.

Moroccan authorities still consider the country in the first phase as the majority of cases contracted the virus abroad.

The Health Minister said that Morocco has 44 hospitals equipped to treat covid-19 cases and has 1640 intensive care beds in total. A further 250 intensive care beds will be made available, he said.

Morocco has mobilized its intensive care units operating in the public and private sectors in addition to those of the army to enhance its capacities to cope with the invisible enemy which continues to spread in the world. Morocco’s King Mohammed VI ordered on Tuesday the Royal armed forces to use field hospitals to back up the health infrastructure wherever necessary.

Moroccan pharmacies, drug manufacturers and distributors have been urged to continue supplying regularly the local market with necessary medicines to avoid any shortages and speculation.

Donations to a special fund, set up at the initiative of King Mohammed VI, to improve health infrastructure and alleviate the pandemic’s social and economic impact have exceeded 17.5 billion Dirhams, following contributions from major state-owned and private companies, banks, public institutions and individuals.

Morocco adopted a set of preventive measures to limit the spread of contaminations, the latest taken Wednesday urged citizens to self-quarantine and not to leave home except to buy food, seek treatment or go to work.

In his press briefing Wednesday, Ait Taleb urged citizens to take preventive measures seriously to avoid infections, including staying at home as much as possible.

Moroccan political figures, artists, footballers have posted videos urging people to abide by authorities’ instructions and to stay home.

Morocco had earlier suspended all international air and maritime connections, closed mosques, schools, entertainment and sports venues and non-essential shops as a precautionary measure against the pandemic.