Officials in the health sector in Lebanon warn of a coming "disaster" in terms of fighting the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the inability to implement deterrent measures approved by the government and the hospitals' reaching their maximum capacities, amid a deteriorating economic situation that does not help curb the virus.

Since the outbreak of the epidemic began in February, Lebanon has recorded more than 83,000 cases, including more than 600 deaths. And after the government, through an early general lockdown, succeeded in containing the first wave, the country recently recorded record infection rates, despite the isolation of dozens of towns and villages.

The Minister of Health in the caretaker government, Hamad Hassan, called Monday for a "general lockdown in the country for a period of four weeks with strict measures," referring to a "dangerous stage" in which "the number of beds that are being equipped is barely enough for the affected cases."

"Today we are at a very dangerous juncture and have approached the catastrophic scene," he said during the opening of a medical center in the Bekaa region Sunday.

Hassan reiterated with health sector officials recently that the partial closure measures imposed by the government in recent weeks on hundreds of towns and villages that have recorded a high rate of injuries have not achieved the desired results, in light of the general lack of commitment from citizens exhausted by a severe economic and monetary crisis.

Since 9:00 GMT Monday night, a curfew has been implemented in all regions, which will continue until 5 am (03:00 GMT), coinciding with the isolation of more than a hundred villages and towns, with all schools and institutions closed.

- Health sector exhausted -

The daily casualty rate increased, especially after the horrific Beirut Port explosion, which killed more than 200 people and injured more than 6,500, and contributed to the confusion of the fragile health sector. At least three hospitals were out of service due to severe damage.

Officials fear the collapse of the health system, especially with the registration of high cases among the medical staff, and their inability to receive new patients, as the number of cases continues to rise.

The Ministry of Health holds that private hospitals, which constitute more than eighty percent of the hospitalization sector in Lebanon, do not participate in the required manner in bearing the burden of dealing with the virus.

However, the head of the Syndicate of Private Hospital Owners, Suleiman Haroun, denies the "accusations." And he talks about “the enormous difficulties that hospitals face to do more than they have done in this regard,” after “the spread of the epidemic has paralyzed the sector’s energies and made it more and more difficult for its ability to prepare the necessary to receive cases.”

During a meeting of the Ministerial Committee to follow up on the epidemic, Hamad announced on Monday that it had agreed on "the compulsory preparation of hospitals on all private Lebanese territories" and "raising their readiness" within a week.

The hospital sector in Lebanon in general suffers from the deterioration of the exchange rate of the lira against the dollar, with the difficulty of importing medical supplies and equipment. Private hospitals accuse the government of defaulting on their dues.

- "We die of hunger" -

The increasing outbreak of the virus comes at a time when Lebanon is witnessing its worst economic crisis, which has doubled the country's poverty rates. More than half of the population of about six million live below the poverty line, while tens of thousands have lost their jobs or sources of income since the beginning of the year.

The deteriorating economic situation has prevented the government from imposing a general lockdown so far, which is opposed by many popular and economic parties.

In his clothing store in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Mike Shehab, 38, warns that the results of any approach to a general closure will be "difficult."

"If we close the shop for a month, we will die of hunger, because Lebanon's economy is below zero. They lock the country down and there is no alternative to offer," he told AFP.

He added, "The movement is currently light, but the situation remains better than the closure. I have employees and expenses (...) We will have to spend them, otherwise how will we pay them," stressing, "We can no longer bear more losses."

However, partial isolation measures are not working.

In a televised interview at the end of the week, the caretaker minister of interior, Muhammad Fahmy, said that "the lack of economic status of the Lebanese state, in addition to the culture of some citizens in all regions," prevented it from responding to government measures.

He explained, "It is not possible to ask some citizens to stay in their homes for a certain period without their help, because the living situation is tragic," noting at the same time that the mouthpiece of some Lebanese "is ready to die of COVID-19 and my children and I will die of hunger."

The Syndicate of Restaurant, Café and Patisserie Owners, which is among the parties most affected by the outbreak of the virus, called for "a decision to be completely closed for a period of two weeks, covering the entire Lebanese territory without exception for any sector whatsoever."

"It is better for this matter to take place during the month of November, instead of December, the holiday month," she said in a statement.