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AFP
Beirut
Lebanon on Sunday said it confirmed 1,006 new novel coronavirus cases and 11 deaths from the disease in 24 hours, in a new record for the crisis-hit country.
The figures from the health ministry brought Lebanon’s total tally since February to 29,303 COVID-19 cases, including 297 deaths.
Outgoing health minister Hamad Hassan told television channel Al Jadeed he had called for authorities to impose a new two-week lockdown to combat the virus’ spread.
Cases have spiked in the aftermath of a massive explosion at the Beirut port on August 4 that killed more than 190 people and overwhelmed the capital’s health services with thousands of wounded.
Authorities on August 21 declared a lockdown in all parts of the country except those ravaged by the explosion, as well as a night-time curfew.
But they eased the restrictions a week later following protest from the private sector, already reeling from the country’s worst economic downturn in decades.
The head of a major public hospital battling COVID-19, Firass Abiad, expressed his alarm at the rising rates on Saturday.
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21/09/2020
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