New crown pneumonia spreads in the Middle East
In recent days, the new crown pneumonia epidemic in the Middle East has spread. After the number of diagnoses and deaths in Iran has soared, on February 24, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and Oman successively announced the first diagnosis of new crown pneumonia cases in their country. Most cases are linked to Iran. On February 25, the number of confirmed cases in the Middle East rose to nine. As of the evening of February 27, all countries with updated data in the Middle East had new cases. In some countries, the number of confirmed cases doubled within two days. The following is the comparison data of countries with confirmed cases in the Middle East on the 25th and 27th: Iran (95 cases-245 cases), Kuwait (8 cases-43 cases), Bahrain (17 cases-33 cases), UAE (13 cases-19 cases) ), Israel (6 cases-7 cases), Iraq (5 cases-6 cases), Oman (4 cases-6 cases), Lebanon (1 case-3 cases), Afghanistan (1 case).
In order to curb the spread of the epidemic, various Middle East countries have announced different travel restrictions including grounding flights to more severely affected areas and closing borders. In Saudi Arabia, which has no confirmed cases, the country ’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a notice in the early morning of the 27th local time, announcing that it will take a series of measures to prevent the introduction of a new coronavirus pneumonia into Saudi Arabia. These measures include prohibiting foreign Muslims from going to Saudi pilgrimage, banning citizens from countries affected by tourist visas from entering the country, and banning the Gulf Cooperation Council ’s member states (Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Oman) from using ID cards directly. Entry into Saudi Arabia, etc. The announcement emphasized that these measures were temporary measures and called on Saudi citizens not to travel to countries where the new crown virus pneumonia outbreak occurred.
Iran
Become the center of outbreak in the Middle East.
Since Iran announced on February 19 that the first case of New Coronavirus has been confirmed, the outbreak in Iran is gradually worsening, and the number of confirmed cases and deaths has risen rapidly. On the 27th local time, Iran ’s Ministry of Health spokesman Jahanpur stated that Iran had 106 new cases of pneumonia, including 38 in Tehran, 23 in Gilan, 7 in Qom, 1 in Hamadan, and Isfa 8 in Han province, 7 in Mazandaran province, 5 in Ardabil province, 3 in Alborz province, 1 in Reza Khorasan province, 3 in Semnan province, Kermanshah There were 2 cases in the province, 3 in Lorestan, 1 in Kurdistan, 1 in Yazd, 1 in West Azerbaijan, and 2 in East Azerbaijan. Of the 106 cases, 7 died. As of noon on the 27th local time, Iran had confirmed a total of 245 cases of new coronary pneumonia, of which 26 died.
Kuwait
The number of confirmed new coronavirus infections has increased to 43.
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health announced on February 24 that five people who have been to Iran have tested positive for a new coronavirus. This is also the first diagnosis of new crown virus in Kuwait. The Ministry of Health of Kuwait held a press conference on the morning of the 27th local time to report the latest situation of the new coronavirus pneumonia epidemic. The head of the Ministry of Health disclosed that the number of people infected with the new coronavirus in Muqianq Kuwait has increased to 43, most of them from Iranian return to Kuwaiti personnel. people. The Kuwaiti health department said that all infected people are in good health and have received relevant treatment. The Ministry of Health will continue to take strict measures to prevent the epidemic from spreading further.
Kuwait is arguably the fastest-preventing country in the Gulf. After the Iranian outbreak, Kuwait quickly issued a travel ban on Iran. At the same time, Kuwait closed its border crossing with Iraq, because many people will arrive in Iraq from Iran before going to Kuwait.
On February 24, Kuwait suspended flights to and from South Korea, Thailand, and Italy. As early as January 30, Kuwait adopted strict immigration control measures against Chinese citizens in response to the Chinese epidemic.
On February 25th, the Kuwaiti National Day, the Kuwaiti government announced the cancellation of all National Day commemorative activities.
Nevertheless, the growth rate of confirmed cases in Kuwait remains the highest in the Middle East.
Bahrain
Currently 33 cases are confirmed, and the vast majority have a history of travel in Iran.
Bahrain first announced the confirmed cases of new coronavirus in the country on February 24. On the morning of February 27, the Ministry of Health of Bahrain issued a notice saying that a total of 33 new types of coronavirus infections have been found in the country, most of whom were from Iran and had already entered Iran. They were diagnosed, but some infected people were diagnosed after returning home to find relevant symptoms. Therefore, it is not ruled out that these infected people have become the source of secondary infection. The Bahrain Ministry of Health called on all personnel who had travelled to Iran this month to avoid going out to contact others and contact the Epidemic Prevention Hotline 444.
United Arab Emirates
Six new cases were confirmed and prepared for the "worst case" of the new coronary pneumonia epidemic.
On February 27, local time, the UAE Ministry of Health released information that the UAE has added 6 new cases of newly diagnosed coronary pneumonia. The six new patients include four Iranians, a Chinese citizen and a Bahraini citizen who came to the UAE from Iran. The country's cumulative number of confirmed cases has now risen to 19.
The UAE Ministry of Health also stated on the same day that two of the previously confirmed cases have recovered, both of whom are Chinese, aged 36 and 37. The total number of patients cured in the UAE has now reached 5.
Earlier on February 26, Abdul Rahman Al Owais, the UAE ’s health minister, announced that the UAE will establish a new medical district in the event of a global crowning emergency. Accommodates people infected with a coronavirus.
He said that the medical area far from the residential area will have all the necessary equipment and personnel to handle any number of cases throughout the medical isolation period (about 14 days).
As the transportation hub of the Middle East, the UAE has been the world's largest international passenger throughput airport for many years. Some confirmed cases in many countries in the Middle East have experience in transit in Dubai, UAE
Owaiis said that the UAE is ready to deal with the "worst case" of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, and he also called on the public not to panic. The UAE has launched anti-epidemic measures at key places such as airports, but now talks about bans on business, trade and tourism Public gatherings in the centre are too early.
Israel
It is the first time that an infected person has returned from Italy.
In the afternoon of February 27 local time (the evening of the same day, Beijing time), the Israeli Ministry of Health issued a notice that an Israeli returning from Italy was diagnosed with new coronary pneumonia.
The male patient reportedly showed signs of illness when he returned from Italy four days ago and was diagnosed on the 26th. The patient is currently being treated at Sheba Medical Center in Israel, and anyone who has been in contact with the patient has been notified and has been isolated at home. According to the latest figures, the number of Israelis undergoing isolation to date is 1,769. The Israeli Ministry of Health announced on the 26th that from now on, all people returning to Israel from Italy will be separated from their homes for 14 days. The Israeli Interior Minister today (27th) signed a ban on foreigners from Italy entering Israel. Israelis returning from Italy need to accept two weeks of quarantine.
Prior to this, the confirmed cases in Israel were all passengers of the "Diamond Princess" cruise ship in Japan. One of them recovered and was discharged from the hospital on the 26th.
Iraq
Six cases have been confirmed.
On February 27 local time, the Iraqi Ministry of Health confirmed that a new coronavirus infection was newly diagnosed in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. Earlier, on February 24, the country's first case of a coronavirus infection occurred in Najaf city. The head of the Najaf Health Department, Ridvan Kindi, said the infected person was an Iranian theology student who had entered Iraq before the Iraqi ban on entry of non-Iranians from Iran came into effect. The infected person has now been quarantined.
On February 25 local time, the Iraqi Ministry of Health issued a statement saying that four new cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in the northern city of Kirkuk. The four patients were from the same family and had recently traveled to Iran and returned. The ministry said the family had been quarantined before the diagnosis was made, and medical examinations by medical staff revealed that they were infected with the new coronavirus. Iraq is taking preventive measures in accordance with international standards, while strengthening health education and publicity to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.
Oman
Two new cases were confirmed, with a total of 6 cases, all with Iranian travel history.
On the 27th local time, the Ministry of Health of Oman issued a statement confirming that there were 2 new confirmed cases of new coronary pneumonia in the country. Both patients have travel history in Iran. At present, the patient's physical condition is stable. The Ministry of Health has not disclosed any other information about the patient. The Omani Ministry of Health announced for the first time on the 24th that a confirmed case of New Coronavirus was found in the country, and the patients were two domestic women. At present, all 6 confirmed patients in Oman have recently visited Iran and are in stable condition.
The Oman Civil Aviation Authority (PACA) announced that all flights to and from Iran will be suspended from Monday (February 24).
Lebanon
At present, 3 cases have been confirmed and all have travel history in Iran.
In the afternoon of February 27 local time, the Lebanese Ministry of Health announced the diagnosis of a third case of neo-coronary pneumonia infection. The Lebanese National News Agency NNA reported that the patient was an Iranian man who took a flight from Iran to Beirut, Lebanon on the 24th. The man was taken to Rafiq Hariri Hospital for isolation and treatment and is currently in a stable condition. The Lebanese Ministry of Health urges all passengers from the affected areas to quarantine themselves and contact medical institutions if they have symptoms.
Lebanese Health Minister Hassan confirmed the country's first case of coronavirus on February 21 and said at a press conference in Beirut that the virus was found in a 45-year-old Lebanese woman who was from Iran Qom came and added that she is in good health at the moment.
Afghanistan
One case has been confirmed, but the epidemic prevention capacity is insufficient.
On February 27, local time, the Afghan Ministry of Health announced that five suspected cases of new crown pneumonia were registered for the first time in the capital Kabul, but the country did not announce the discovery of new confirmed cases except for one previously confirmed case in Herat.
On February 24, Afghanistan announced the country's first case of a coronavirus infection in its province of Herat. Subsequently, the Afghan government declared a state of emergency with the province bordering Iran. Previously, Afghanistan suspended all air and land transportation to and from Iran last weekend.
Afghan Health Minister Ferozuddin Feroz told reporters: "The confirmed case is a 35-year-old patient who recently returned from the city of Qom, Iran." He called on people to stay at home and not go out. .
Afghanistan is probably the country most likely to have a severe epidemic outside Iran because of its economic situation and poor medical care, Afghanistan's ability to defend against the epidemic is insufficient. Even the Afghan Health Minister expressed concern: "Because of the poor economic performance, many people in Afghanistan suffer from diseases themselves and their immune systems are weak."
Thousands of Afghans currently live in Iran. They often travel by car and public bus across the border to Iran to visit their families and find jobs there. This provides an opportunity for the spread of the virus.
(Main Channel Reporter Wang Wei)