Abiad: Number of Coronavirus cases, deaths is improving in Lebanon

Director of the Rafic Hariri University Hospital Firas Abiad said on Wednesday that the number of Coronavirus cases, test positivity rate, hospitalizations, and death are improving in Lebanon.

In a series of tweets, Abiad stressed that data shared publicly in the Ministry of Health’s report is not enough to determine accurately the reasons behind such an improvement.

“The restrictions imposed earlier this year have helped in the declining numbers,” he noted.

On another note, Abiad said that some local studies have estimated that about 40% of the population have already contracted the virus.

“If we add the number of those vaccinated we will have 45% of the population that are now immune,” Abiad stressed.

“This number is still far from the threshold required to reach herd immunity, but it helps limit the spread of community infection,” he added.

Abiad warned against new variants that some countries are witnessing such as Brazil and India which almost attained a 50% herd community.

“The reason behind the spread is the new virus variants, which can happen in other countries, including Lebanon,” he concluded by saying.