Warnings of Worsening Epidemiological Situation in Libya

Medical authorities in western Libya have warned that daily official data issued by the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) does not reflect the actual number of COVID-19 cases.

“The epidemiological situation in the country has exacerbated following a period of calm since the beginning of the pandemic,” authorities noted.

In a press statement on Thursday, Director-General of NCDC Badreddine al-Najjar said the infection tally and the death toll have significantly increased during the past two weeks.

He affirmed that the quarantine centers are operating under great pressure with no empty beds left for coronavirus patients.

“Libya is not an exception to its neighboring countries and the whole world,” he stressed, referring to people’s non-compliance with preventive measures.

Libyans are neither wearing masks nor sterilizing and washing their hands with soap, he noted, adding that gatherings are still taking place in funerals, weddings and malls, and markets in general.

He expressed hope that the second wave is overcome with the least possible deaths.

According to the latest figures, 764 new cases have been recorded, distributing among 43 cities, topped by Tripoli with 305 cases.

The infection tally in the country has amounted to 107, 434, including 84.245 recoveries and 1,645 deaths.

Meanwhile, the Government of National Accord’s (GNA) Health Ministry mentioned arrangements that precede the arrival of the coronavirus vaccine from abroad.

Media departments affiliated with all medical bodies in western Libya met on Thursday to unify their rhetoric and prepare for the campaign to confront the pandemic.

Relevant parties agreed to hold conferences to clarify facts and refute rumors, in addition to sending awareness messages to targeted groups, such as the elderly and people with chronic diseases.

Earlier in December 2020, the Libyan Scientific Advisory Committee on the coronavirus pandemic signed a deal with the COVAX facility to receive two million doses of vaccine as soon as they are made available.