Iran reports more than 100 new virus deaths as fears mount
By NASSER KARIMI and JOSEPH KRAUSSMarch 15, 2020 GMT
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) The official leading Iran’s response to the new coronavirus acknowledged Sunday that the pandemic could overwhelm health facilities in his country, which is battling the worst outbreak in the Middle East while under heavy U.S. sanctions.
Elsewhere in the region, Lebanon ordered residents not to leave their homes except for urgent necessities and even closed down Beirut’s famous Mediterranean boardwalk. Muslim authorities indefinitely closed the Al-Aqsa mosque in east Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam, with prayers continuing to be held on the sprawling esplanade outside.
The World Health Organization expressed concern Wednesday that the Covid-19 pandemic could worsen in the Middle East and North Africa during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Detected cases of COVID-19 infection in the region rose 22% last week, while deaths rose 17%, said Ahmed al-Mandhari, the Cairo-based chief of the WHO for the eastern Mediterranean. Mandhari said the situation in the vast region reflects a
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CAIRO (AFP) - The World Health Organisation expressed concern on Wednesday (April 14) that the Covid-19 pandemic could worsen in the Middle East and North Africa during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
Detected cases of Covid infection in the region rose 22 per cent last week, while deaths rose 17 per cent, said Ahmed al-Mandhari, the Cairo-based chief of the WHO for the eastern Mediterranean.
Mandhari said the situation in the vast region reflects a worrying trend . We are especially worried that the current situation may worsen during Ramadan if people don t follow and adhere to the proven social measures that work, he told an online news conference.
The World Health Organization expressed concern Wednesday that the COVID-19 pandemic could worsen in the Middle East and North Africa during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.