Morocco’s COVID-19 Response Shows Mixed Results Despite Early Praise

The measures taken by the Moroccan authorities to effectively fight against covid-19 have been praised at the national and international level. But the spread of the virus is not receding throughout the national territory. The number of infections for the past 4 weeks has not been below 100 cases per day. As of Tuesday, May 5 (4 p.m. local time), the official report since the appearance of covid-19 in the kingdom shows 5,219 confirmed cases, 1,838 recoveries, 181 deaths.

At the regional level, Casablanca-Settat (1,362), Marrakech-Safi (1,091) and Tanger Tetouan Al Hoceima (740) are the most affected regions. The daily screening test rate (over 3,000) is an advance for Morocco in the sense that the mortality rate is declining. The country could consider a partial deconfinement. However, the kingdom is not out of the woods yet, and will have to make more efforts on a daily basis.

In Algeria, the situation is far from reassuring. The country’s screening policy (400 tests per day on average) does not allow the mortality rate, which remains very high, to be reduced. It is the most bereaved country in the Maghreb and Africa with 463 deaths for 4,474 declared cases (as of Monday, May 4).

In Tunisia, the prospects are rather good. The country is preparing its exit from confinement. The official report shows 1,017 cases of contamination, 360 remissions, 42 deaths. Its average of 530 tests per day and strict confinement have been a great advantage for the country in its fight against covid-19. Today, the RO is 0.9 in this Maghreb country. The national strategy of struggle has simply paid off.