The Minister of Public Health in the caretaker government, Dr. Hamad Hassan, chaired a joint meeting at the Ministry of Public Health to follow up on the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendees included the Secretary-General of the Supreme Defense Council, Major General Mahmoud Asmar, the Medical Advisor to the President, Dr. Walid Khoury, the Advisor to the Prime Minister, Dr. Petra Khoury, as well as doctors and specialists who are members of the ministerial COVID-19 committee, along with heads of several departments and units within the Ministry of Public Health concerned with the pandemic response plan.
The participants discussed a preliminary vision for the upcoming phase and examined the establishment of an implementation mechanism for home care for COVID-19 patients. They also deliberated on providing necessary medications, supplies, and home oxygen devices through several relevant organizations, with support from the medical and nursing syndicates and coordination with the Ministries of Health and Interior and Municipalities.
Lebanon is currently experiencing a widespread outbreak of the coronavirus, accompanied by a high level of health anxiety and limited medical capabilities and equipment, prompting Lebanese authorities to extend the general lockdown until February 8. The Lebanese Presidency of the Council of Ministers announced yesterday the extension of the full lockdown decision until the morning of Monday, February 8, 2021, with a review of exceptions to be conducted.
