Morocco Enters Stage 2 of COVID-19 Outbreak as Religious Gathering Leads to 45 New Cases

The outbreaks that appeared, according to the official, are "linked to tourist trips organized from Meknes to an Arab country, and a large party organized in Casablanca". This is how screening was carried out on all those who came into contact with the people who participated in the trip. The result is clear: "47 confirmed infections related to the trip and 45 for the Casablanca party, which was a Jewish religious celebration that brought together more than fifty people".

According to the same source, after positive laboratory tests, "26 of them were admitted to the Cheikh Zayed Hospital in Casablanca, the Moulay Youssef Hospital and the Mediouna Hospital, while 4 patients are in intensive care at the Ibn Rochd (Maurice Gaud) and Cheikh Zayed Hospital, and another confined at home". There is also one case of recovery (a patient who was hospitalized at Moulay Youssef), as well as 2 deaths.

Saad Soulami, a cardiologist in the city, through an audio message, called on his colleagues. "Do not let anyone from the Jewish community into your office before questioning them about their participation or not in a recent religious celebration," he said. He recounted his experience with one of his patients who came for a consultation without him having thought of this diagnosis. It was at the request of the Ministry of the Interior that the test was carried out on his Jewish patient, and it proved positive.

"I am in total confinement at home. I have closed the office. I only left the secretary. Do not touch the patients. Continue your consultations; question the patient before he enters the office. It is becoming extremely serious," he insisted.