Abiad: Next Two Months Will Be Crucial For COVID in Lebanon

Asharq Alawsat

May 27th, 5:30am

Beirut - Asharq Al-Awsat

Head of the intensive care unit at Lebanon's Rafik Hariri Hospital battling the coronavirus, Mahmoud Hassoun, receives the first coronavirus jab on Valentine's Day. (AFP)

The coming two months will be consequential for the COVID-19 situation in Lebanon, warned General Manager of the Rafik Hariri University Hospital Firass Abiad on Wednesday. “Currently, numbers are the lowest seen in months, a large portion of the population has acquired some immunity from contracting the virus, and the vaccination campaign is underway. Yet, the situation can change,” he said in a series of tweets. Abiad stressed that the Indian variant is spreading in many countries, adding that “it is 50 percent more infectious than the British variant that arrived in Lebanon at the end of last year as expats were returning for the holidays.” “Increased activities then helped fuel the spread of the virus with catastrophic results,” he noted. Abiad also said that similar circumstances are occurring now, adding that the control at the airport is not strict and the compliance of the majority of people with measures limiting the spread is low. “At the same time, small and large gatherings, inside and outside, are being noted more frequently,” he added. “Will our immunity save us? The post-infection acquired immunity fades usually after six months. High-level protection with vaccines is achieved after two doses. Currently, only 5 percent of the population have received that. Yet, the vaccination drive is picking up, more is on the way,” Abiad explained. He noted that the logistics effort to distribute 750,000 vaccine shots in one month will be demanding. “Even if achieved, it takes time for the vaccines to provide the needed protection. In the UK, where a much higher level of vaccination has been achieved, the Indian variant is spreading.” The Lebanese Ministry of Health said Wednesday that 280 new coronavirus cases were recorded during the past 24 hours in the country, in addition to seven deaths, raising the number of confirmed cases in the country to 539,271.

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