NewsDesk @bactiman63

Lebanon Minister of Health, Dr. Faras Al-Bayd announced “the registration of eighty new cases of the epidemic, which raises the cumulative number of registered cases to 169”, pointing to “the registration of cases in new areas, including Zgharta, Zahle, Hawsh al-Omara, Qab Elias, Tamneen al-Tahta, Bashmra, and Qleiaat”.

He added, “The biggest burden falls on Halba Governmental Hospital, and there are cases in Tripoli and Minya hospitals, and there are thirty-three cases in hospitals, some of them confirmed and others awaiting results, including six cases in intensive care.

He pointed out that “the cumulative number of deaths is five so far”.

He continued, “There is an accelerated spread of the epidemic in Lebanon. It is true that the vast majority of patients are among the displaced, but we have begun to notice an increase in cases among Lebanese citizens”.

With regard to the transmission of infection, the Minister of Public Health considered that “there is no doubt that polluted water is one of the main reasons for the spread of the epidemic, as the tests conducted by the Ministry of Public Health recorded many sources of contaminated water, including what is used in some camps or homes, but also water pollution was recorded in springs, including the Rihaniya spring in the north and Ain Faour spring.

“The use of contaminated vegetables also contributes to the spread of the epidemic”, he also noted.

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The Minister of Public Health focused on “the need to secure clean water as a basic factor that helps limit the spread of the epidemic,” pointing to “efforts made by the Ministry of Public Health in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and Water, where UNICEF has secured about 100,000 liters of mazut for use in operating water pumping stations in areas The North, North Bekaa, Bekaa and some waste water treatment plants to reduce the burden of polluted water.” However, the White Minister pointed out, on the other hand, that “communication with water pumping stations, whether in North Lebanon or the Bekaa, showed frequent power cuts, which greatly limits the quantities of clean water that reach the users.

Add to that the stagnation of water for long periods in these stations as a result of Long-term power cuts to the stations may expose them to pollution, which may contribute to spreading diseases when pumped back to users.

He stressed, “the necessity of securing electric power for pumping stations to secure clean water, because the stations mainly feed large and medium cities, and it is very important to limit the spread of the epidemic in these areas.