The Palestinian Ministry of Health warned today of a great rise in the curve of coronavirus infections in Palestine, the spread of new corona variants, the high rate of hospitals’ admission, the number of cases connected to artificial respirators, and the number of deaths.

Ministry spokesman who is also responsible for the coronavirus file, Kamal al-Shakhra, told the official Voice of Palestine radio that the number of infections, deaths and serious cases could double in light of the reluctance of some people, especially workers, from doing the tests and the spread of South African and British variants, along with the possibility of the arrival of other variants.

He said his ministry is ready to deal with these cases and follow up the situation in the laboratories as it awaits the results of the tests conducted for the New York variant.

Responding to media reports that the Palestinian health system is on the verge of collapse, Shakhra stressed that the health system has not collapsed, but rather is ready to open new wards and hospitals to receive people infected with coronavirus.

He said that some governors have called for a total lockdown in their districts due to the large spread of the virus and failure of people to observe preventive measures and that a meeting will be held today with the Minister of Health Mai Alkaila to discuss the measures implemented in some governorates.

Nablus Governor Ibrahim Ramadan announced today a total lockdown in his governorate for one week, starting Saturday, that includes a ban on movement of vehicles and closure of all shops and industry in light of the sharp increase of cases in the governorate.

Over governors have announced similar, yet less drastic lockdowns.

 

Source: Wafa News Agency