Houthi Blockade, Pandemic Exasperate Suffering of Yemenis in Taiz

Medics are warning that the spread of coronavirus infections in the southern Yemeni governorate of Taiz has aggravated severely in recent days, with the situation worsening drastically under the ongoing Houthi blockade.

For the fourth day in a row Taiz registered record daily coronavirus infections when compared to other Yemeni governorates.

The governorate, which is part controlled by Houthis and part run by the UN recognized Yemeni government, recorded 29 new cases last Tuesday. That day, a total of 94 cases had been registered across six government-held governorates, including Taiz.

Newly diagnosed cases brought the infection toll in the governorate to 583 since the start of 2021, said the deputy information manager at the Health Ministry office in Taiz.

Tayseer al-Samei also noted that Taiz recorded five coronavirus deaths on Tuesday, bringing the governorate’s death toll to 62. Over 43 recoveries were recorded that day too.

Poor access to hospitals and isolation centers in the governorate has placed Taiz at the top of governorates struggling to curb the spread of the pandemic.

Health workers warn that more deaths and infections are very likely to be recorded in the hard-hit governorate, especially that some cases are still undiagnosed due to the lack of medical services there.

More than 25 physicians and health workers have officially raised the alarm in Taiz and confirmed that the governorate’s medical infrastructure is insufficient to face the spread of the virus.

They predicted the governorate would soon completely lose control of the situation given the shortcomings of its health capabilities.

“In Taiz, the health situation is gradually sliding towards the abyss, especially that it continues to top the list of Yemeni governorates in terms of the highest rate of recorded coronavirus infections and deaths,” local medics told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The rapid and unprecedented spread of the pandemic in Taiz has even affected officials, with many reporting having tested positive for the coronavirus.