The sources said that “in Lebanon, confirmed Omicron injuries recently entered through Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut,” and that “all suspected cases are from outside the country.”
She indicated that there are a large number of cases under verification in the laboratories of the Lebanese University, through the developed PCR examination technology, to be confirmed later after decoding the complete genetic code that depends on only 5 special mutations combined in the new mutant.
The sources added to “Sky News Arabia”, that “the circulating on social media (that Lebanon is the first Arab country to monitor the mutant Omicron) is not accurate, and the necessary precautions have started in earnest, and the measures have been imposed on those who have not been vaccinated with Corona vaccines.”
And she pointed out that “the arrivals who entered the country carrying the virus came from African, Arab and European countries,” stressing “the need to adhere to the instructions given the difficult situation of the health sector in Lebanon.”
fast outbreak
On the other hand, the head of the Lebanese Parliament’s Health Committee, Assem Araji, said, “In Lebanon, there were 60 cases under careful testing last week, and the Omicron mutant is spreading in several countries, and its spread speed is 6 times more than the Delta mutant, so it is expected to spread it.” Quickly”.
Araji added to “Sky News Arabia”, “40 percent of Omicron’s infections came from outside Lebanon, and our expectations are that Omicron will be in mid-January the main mutant of Corona globally.”
Regarding Lebanon, he said: “Our situation in the health sector is very difficult due to the economic crisis, the emigration of doctors and nurses, and the closure of Corona departments in most hospitals last year. We had 2,500 beds in the first months of this year, while Lebanon now has only 916 beds.”
worried about reality
Araji feared that the next few weeks would witness a peak of injuries, and said: “The festive period frightens us, and we do not have sufficient preparedness, and the cost of medicines and hospitalization remains high due to the crisis, as entering the intensive care room in Lebanon’s hospitals costs between 8 and 10 million Lebanese pounds for Corona patients. And in the ordinary room, 4 million. The concern is strong.”
In the same context, the medical director of the Geitaoui Hospital in Beirut, cardiologist Naji Abi Rashid, said that the mutated Omicron is spreading very quickly.
Abi Rashed added to “Sky News Arabia”: “The mutator has spread to about 89 countries around the world a month ago, and in the Arab region it has spread to 8 countries, including Lebanon. Omikron is rapidly spreading and Lebanon is a country with open borders and there is a movement of expatriates currently. Turkey, Spain, Britain and Arab countries. In Lebanon, we have transparent numbers, while there are countries that have not yet given any statement.”
Abi Rashid revealed that “Omicron’s symptoms are pain in the throat and fever, but the rate of hospitalization of the patient with it is less than other mutant ones, and perhaps the reason is that the infected people took vaccinations in the previous months.”
He concluded by saying: “It is necessary to receive the vaccine, as it prevents cases from reaching a critical stage by 70 percent, and those leading to hospitalization compared to the Delta by 90 percent. Everyone should avoid closed meetings, adhere to medical guidelines, and take the vaccine as soon as possible because it is the best prevention.”
.
