Lebanon on alert as coronavirus cases reach 28

Japanese tourists wearing health masks, due to fears of coronavirus, tour in the Sidon Sea Castle in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon on Saturday. (AFP)

• School and universities will remain closed until March 14.
• Authorities have ordered closure of all entertainment centers such as gyms, nightclubs, cinemas, exhibitions and conferences for a week

BEIRUT: The number of coronavirus cases in Lebanon has reached 28, health officials in the country said on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Ministerial Committee for Combating Coronavirus has decided to extend the closure of schools and universities until March 14, and to close all entertainment centers such as gyms, nightclubs, cinemas, exhibitions and conferences for a week. It is also urging people to avoid crowded places and gatherings.
The ministries of interior, tourism, economy, culture, and youth and sports will follow up on implementation of these measures.
“Lebanon is weak in the face of the virus because of the great administrative deterioration in the Health Ministry and the public health sector, particularly in public hospitals, accompanied by a severe economic crisis,” Ismail Sukariya, a gastroenterologist at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, told Arab News.
“Since the arrival of the first plane from (the Iranian city of) Qom, the (Lebanese) health minister should’ve taken strict measures. The decision was political, and we can’t stop Lebanese citizens from coming home,” Sukariya said.
“Lebanon will see dozens of infections by the end of the month … The virus might stay active until summer, just like the World Health Organization announced on Saturday.”
The Justice Ministry has extended the suspension of hearings until March 13, and Beirut Arab University (BAU) is continuing to suspend classes and replace attendance with online courses.
The head of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council, Sheikh Abdul-Amir Qablan, has urged people to reduce gatherings at mosques and abide by the directives of the Health Ministry and medical bodies.
He has also urged those who have the virus to report it to ensure their safety and that of their families.
Health Minister Hamad Hassan ordered all university hospitals to start conducting coronavirus tests because the number of suspected cases is increasing and will soon exceed the capacity of the laboratory of Rafik Hariri University Hospital. Those who test positive will be quarantined at that hospital.
Municipalities have started to organize mandatory courses for police personnel on how to deal with suspected cases and immediately intervene in case someone dies, so as to prevent further infections.