Surge in coronavirus cases continues in Lebanon following explosion

Lebanon continues to register all-time highs in daily COVID-19 cases following the massive explosion in Beirut two weeks ago.

With a population of more than 6 million, Lebanon recorded 439 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, according to Ministry of Public Health data. Lebanon previously broke its daily records last Thursday and Friday.

Cases have increased dramatically since the explosion in Beirut’s port on Aug. 4. The blast, which authorities said was caused by an explosion of improperly stored ammonium nitrate, killed more than 200 and injured thousands more.

Hospitals filled to capacity treating the wounded, and people protested in the streets against the government’s apparent gross negligence in storing the explosive so close to the city’s downtown. People also began cleaning up the massive mess from the blast themselves. The explosion rendered hundreds of thousands of people homeless.

Lebanon’s economy was already reeling at the time of the incident from the currency’s devaluation, chronic electricity cuts, corruption and coronavirus-related lockdowns.

The desperate situation made social distancing and hygiene more difficult, which could explain the dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases.

Medical officials are now urging a two-week lockdown to mitigate the virus’ spread. The Lebanese governmental Cabinet resigned amid the fallout from the blast, and a caretaker health minister is in place.