Morocco Marks One Year of COVID-19 Response: Progress and Challenges

After recording the first case of contamination, Morocco quickly took a series of strong measures, with the involvement of health professionals, civil society, the business and financial world, the public administration, the armed and security forces. Very early on, the country isolated itself with the closure of airspace and maritime borders, the closure of mosques and places likely to host sporting, cultural and artistic events. Cafes, restaurants, hammams, were also ordered to close. The same goes for schools, universities and courts. The state of health emergency came to complicate the situation from March 20, reports Xinhua.

On the health front, the clinical capacity of the intensive care service in several hospitals has been strengthened, the military medical service has been mobilized alongside the civilian health personnel. There was also the installation of several field hospitals in certain regions of the country. Researchers and both private and public companies have been mobilized for the manufacture of ventilators and the production of protective masks, the production of hydroalcoholic gels and medical equipment.

The restrictive measures have given rise to difficulties at the population level, who found themselves without income and unemployed for some. To deal with this situation, King Mohammed VI ordered the creation of a Special Fund for the management of the new coronavirus. In addition to this, a moratorium has been granted for the payment of taxes and the repayment of bank loans for the benefit of SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) and liberal professions in difficulty.

Morocco’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic is also the national vaccination campaign launched on January 28 by King Mohammed VI. The objective pursued by the kingdom is to be able to immunize 80% of the population by June. Currently, vaccination is being extended to people aged 60-64 and those with chronic diseases. It will reach as many people as possible as the expected doses of vaccines (Sinopharm and AstraZeneca) are shipped to Morocco. For the moment, a total of 3,435,997 people have received the first dose of the vaccine and 161,906 people have received the second, according to the Ministry of Health.

The number of active cases is 5,985 to date, the weekly mortality curve is recording the strongest decline to reach 1.8%, and the recovery rate is 98%. The total number of confirmed cases is 483,654, including 8,623 deaths and 469,046 recoveries, the same source specifies.