COVID-19 pandemic: an insult over injury for Lebanon

Bizri, A. R., Khachfe, H. H., Fares, M. Y. and Musharrafieh, U. (2021) COVID-19 pandemic: an insult over injury for Lebanon. Journal of Community Health, 46(3), pp. 487-493. (doi: 10.1007/s10900-020-00884-y) (PMID:32661861) (PMCID:PMC7358300)

Abstract

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) caused a plethora of challenges worldwide and tested healthcare systems across the six continents. Lebanon had recently faced harsh political and economic crises. We aim to describe the effect of COVID-19 on an already crisis-stricken country. A descriptive analysis of the burden of COVID-19 pandemic on Lebanon was performed. Relevant data on COVID-19 was retrieved from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health from February 21 till June 13th, 2020. Results obtained were analyzed and a literature review was performed. 1422 confirmed COVID-19 cases were identified and reported in Lebanon by June 13th, 2020, comprising an incidence rate of 208/million persons. There has been a total of 31 deaths thus far, with a reported death rate of 5/million persons. The age group with the highest number of cases was 20–29 years. Beirut was the district with the highest number of cases (18%). The COVID-19 crisis has impacted the country on a multifactorial level. COVID-19 could not have come at a worse time for Lebanon. The country is on brink of bankruptcy, the healthcare system is struggling for survival and the government is striving to regain the trust of the population.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: UNSPECIFIED
• Authors: Bizri, A. R., Khachfe, H. H., Fares, M. Y., and Musharrafieh, U.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Journal of Community Health
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 0094-5145
• ISSN (Online): 1573-3610
• Published Online: 13 July 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Community Health 46(3): 487-493
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License