The occupancy rate of hospital beds “is causing concern,” Assem Araji, chairman of the parliamentary health committee, tweeted on Tuesday. (Credit: João Sousa/L’Orient Today)
BEIRUT — Health Minister Firas Abiad said Tuesday afternoon that 75 percent of hospital beds in Lebanon are occupied amid rising numbers of COVID-19 cases — a slightly lower occupancy than the 80 percent cited earlier in the day by the chairman of the parliamentary health committee, Assem Araji. However, Abiad nonetheless cautioned of the risks of overwhelming the health sector if coronavirus case numbers continue to rise, adding that so far eight cases of the new Omicron variant have been confirmed in the country, while at least 16 others are suspected.
Here’s what we know:
• “We all know that COVID-19 numbers are increasing … we are also seeing an increase in cases that are hospitalized,” Abiad said after a meeting of the government committee in charge of COVID-19 restrictions led by Prime Minister Najib Mikati, during which Abiad said “the measures that will be taken in the coming days” to curb the spread of the virus were discussed.
• Among the decisions made by the committee is to more rigorously enforce COVID-19 restrictions announced earlier this month to try to prevent the virus’ spread during the holiday season. “We are noticing indiscipline by sectors and individuals, and if we keep up the same pace we could reach [the need for] a full lockdown. Every time numbers increase at hospitals we get closer to this stage,” the health minister said.
• Ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, the chairman of the parliamentary health committee Assem Araji had tweeted that the occupancy rate of hospital beds “is causing concern,” cautioning that this concern will grow “especially if the ICU admission rate increases in the coming weeks.”
• Last year, the holiday travel season brought a surge of infections that did not relent until the end of April. Thousands of members of the diaspora from around the world typically travel to Lebanon around the time of Christmas and New Year’s.
• According to the latest report published Tuesday by the Ministry of Health, 615 patients are currently hospitalized, including 278 in intensive care. Meanwhile, Lebanon registered 1,474 new COVID-19 cases and 13 additional deaths, bringing the death toll to 8,873.
• The number of beds presently available is “less than 850” according to Araji, compared to roughly 2,500 in December 2020. Several hospitals closed coronavirus wings over the summer as the number of cases declined, he said.
• Hospitals continue to be understaffed and under-resourced as the country suffers from an exodus of trained medical professionals and an economic crisis that makes it increasingly difficult for hospitals to obtain medical supplies.