Despite a notable drop in contamination linked to Covid-19 in the kingdom, the government is still maintaining a state of a health emergency. An incomprehensible and paradoxical situation.
Covid-19 has not seemed relevant in Morocco for several weeks. The famous virus that once wreaked havoc on the population, especially among vulnerable people, has lost its wings. The turn signals are green. And the latest statistics from the Ministry of Health prove it. Out of 18,583 tests carried out, only 60 new cases were detected between Monday, September 5, and Thursday, September 8, 2022.
The number of active cases continues its downward trend to stand at 262 cases as of Thursday, and that of severe or critical cases at 11. As for the bed occupancy rate, it was 0.21%. In other words, many beds have therefore been freed up and could be used for the hospitalization of other patients who suffer from diseases often even more serious than Covid. Three cases were under incubation and one case was under non-invasive ventilation. As for vaccination, the figures are just as reassuring. More than 24.8 million had received the first dose, more than 23.3 million the second, 6.7 million the third and 43,622 the fourth dose.
The latest bi-monthly report (July 5-August 8) from the Ministry of Health presented on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, once again confirmed this major drop in the pandemic in the Kingdom. The department of Khalid Aït Taleb had announced the end of the second Omicron wave, after two consecutive weeks of “low green” level of vigilance of the community circulation of Covid-19 and the beginning of the post-wave phase or the fourth intermediate period. . “Morocco experienced the fourth wave of community circulation of Covid-19 which lasted 11 weeks and reached its peak in the two weeks from June 20 to July 3,” said Dr. Mouad Mrabet coordinator of the National Center for Ministry Public Health Emergency Operations when presenting these statistics.
Paradox
But paradoxically, and despite this reassuring situation, the Council of Government had decided, on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, to extend the duration of the state of emergency until September 30, 2022. “This decision aims to ensure the “effectiveness of the measures taken by the public authorities to combat the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic”, he justified. A measure that had surprised many Moroccans.
And what is bizarre is that the main restrictive measures provided for in the event of a state of health emergency are not respected and the sanctions provided for are not applied. What’s more, we are increasingly witnessing a resumption of major cultural events such as festivals, concerts, etc., and sports events with crowded stadiums. Even for this new school year, the Ministry of National Education has loosened the noose. So many contradictions that should push the government to lift this measure like almost all countries in the world except perhaps China.
