Marruecos confirma que ya se ha superado el pico de la ola de Ómicron
The pandemic situation in Morocco appears to be starting to ease after nearly two months in which the country has suffered the consequences of coronavirus restrictions and restrictions. Mouad Merabet, coordinator of the National Centre for Public Health Emergency Operations at the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, says the peak of infections has probably been reached between 17 and 13 January.
"The peak of infections was reached a priori unless there was a surprise. Omicron is less serious but still serious," the coordinator posted on his LinkedIn account, where he regularly reports on the epidemiological situation. But for his part, even if this point in the wave of cases has passed, Merabet points out that from here on, the trend will start to slow down, but there will be an increase in severe cases and deaths from the virus. "There are at least two difficult weeks ahead in terms of severe and critical cases and mortality," Merabet said.
The figures are in line with Merabet's claims, as the number of severe cases and those requiring hospitalisation in health centres and ICUs have increased by 36.2%. The latest records show that there have been 730 new admissions to intensive care units. On a more positive note, MAP News, Morocco's official news agency, adds that almost 500 patients have recovered and left the hospitals. Deaths, on the other hand, have also increased by a further 2.4%.
As the coordinator reports, cases have already started to decline and the infection rate is stagnating for the second week in a row at 24.4% of confirmed cases. The clearest decreases are to be found in the regions of Casablanca-Settat, Marrakech-Safi and Sus-Massa. In the case of the former, the level has gone from being considered very high to being in a downward phase and only a high level.
Mouad Merabet says the risk of contracting the virus is still high. Although the trend continues to decline, the level of coronavirus transmission is still sky-high in most parts of the Kingdom, with most territories still at level red. The public is still asked to keep their distance, exercise caution and keep their masks on outdoors and indoors. In addition, it is recommended to avoid crowded gatherings and to respect the safety distance, rules that have been issued by international authorities such as the WHO.
On the other hand, the coordinator also adds in his statement that the data is matching international records, in which most countries seem to have passed the peak of the wave of infections as well. "Omicron is less severe than the Delta variant, but no one has said that Omicron is zero gravity. Be careful, the current wave is underestimated," says Merabet.
The drop in cases is good news for the Kingdom, which has been suffering the consequences of Omicron since November. Faced with the rapid spread of the virus, Morocco decided to close its borders, and they remain closed to this day. This has dealt a severe blow to tourism, which has been the sector most affected by the restrictions in order to preserve the gains made in the fight against COVID-19.
Official media confirmed that routes into the country would reopen on 31 January but the date is still under discussion. According to MAP News, in the last session of the House of Representatives, Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad, stated that this opening depends on the measures taken to avoid worsening the situation.
"The objective is clear: the opening of the borders, but with the guarantee of conditions to preserve the health of both visitors and Moroccans," the minister told the House. He also added that the opening is still under discussion. Everything will depend on the evolution of the epidemiological situation in the country.