December 30th – Comprehensive Xinhua News Agency reporter in the Middle East reported: On the 30th, the COVID-19 epidemic in the Middle East further spread, and many countries have recently continued to carry out coronavirus vaccination or preparations, while strengthening epidemic prevention measures.
Turkey’s Ministry of Health announced on the 30th that 184,415 people have been tested for the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, of which 15,692 have tested positive. So far, Turkey has a total of 2,194,272 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 20,642 deaths and 2,078,629 cured. The Ministry of Health said on the same day that the first batch of vaccines ordered from China have been transferred to its warehouse, and the vaccination process will be started after the relevant laboratory tests are valid and safe.
Tunisia added 2,414 new confirmed cases on the 30th, with a total of 137,216 confirmed cases, 4,620 deaths and 104,980 cured cases. Tunisian Health Minister Mehdi said on the same day that the country had finalized the work plan of vaccination strategy and set up a committee to supervise the vaccination process. The government hopes that 50% of the nationals can be vaccinated.
Algeria added 323 new confirmed cases on the 30th, with a total of 99,311 confirmed cases and 2,751 deaths. On the same day, the Afghan government held a government meeting to hear health minister Ben Buzid on the progress of obtaining a coronavirus vaccine. Buzide said that Algeria has managed to obtain a vaccine and will start vaccinating its citizens in January next year.
Israel’s Ministry of Health said on the 30th that the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the country has exceeded 40,000, the highest since October 15. The Ministry of Health also said that since the launch of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign on December 20, a total of 500,000 people have been vaccinated.
Qatar’s Ministry of Health announced on the 30th that 193 new confirmed cases were confirmed on that day, with a total of 143,621 confirmed cases, a total of 14,300 cured cases and 245 deaths. Qatar is currently in the process of coronavirus vaccination. Tamim, the Emir of Qatar (Head of State), received the vaccination on the same day and displayed photos of himself vaccinated on social media.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced on the 30th that the number of new confirmed cases in the country reached a new high on that day, reaching 2,878, with a total of 177,996 confirmed cases, 1,443 deaths and 126,460 cures. The caretaker government Prime Minister Hassan Diab said on the same day that overseas travelers arriving in Lebanon are one of the reasons for the spread of the epidemic, but the more important reason is that the people in Lebanon have not taken the necessary precautions seriously, such as wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. He noted that if the number of cases continues to surge, the government will also take lockdown measures.
The Iraqi Ministry of Health reported on the 30th that there were 901 new confirmed cases in the country, with a total of 594442 confirmed cases, 12,808 deaths and 536,348 cured cases. On the same day, the Iraqi Ministry of the Interior decided to close public places on New Year’s Eve, prohibit people from gathering to celebrate, and strengthen patrols in the center of the capital Baghdad.
Jordan’s Ministry of Health said on the 30th that there were 1,674 new confirmed cases in the country, with a total of 293,067 confirmed cases, 3,815 deaths and 268,843 cured. In view of the recent slowdown of the epidemic in Jordan, the government announced on the same day that the national curfew will be reduced by two hours per night from January 2 next year, but the foot ban and the suspension of flights to and from the United Kingdom will continue to be implemented every Friday, and the government will adjust the epidemic prevention requirements every two weeks according to the epidemic situation.
Some Middle Eastern countries updated the cumulative number of confirmed cases on the 30th: 12,18,753 in Iran, 36,601 in Saudi Arabia, 206,092 in the United Arab Emirates, 150,298 in Kuwait, 136,644 in Egypt, 128,719 in Oman and 9,993 in Libya. 5 cases, 92,425 cases in Bahrain and 11344 cases in Syria.
