Morocco Reports 4.2% Drop in Covid-19 Cases as Prevention Measures Show Effect

During the presentation of the biweekly assessment of the epidemiological situation in Morocco on Tuesday in Rabat, the head of the communicable diseases division at the Directorate of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Abdelkrim Meziane Bellefquih, indicated that positive cases have regressed by 4.2% over the past two weeks, after an increase for seven weeks. This result can therefore be attributed to compliance with the preventive measures put in place by the authorities.

This regression mainly concerns the Fès-Meknès region with -60%, the Guelmim-Oued Noun region with -50%, Béni Mellal-Khénifra with -35.5%, Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima with -31.5%. The Marrakech-Safi region follows with -11%, the same for Souss-Massa, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra with -8.3%, and Casablanca-Settat with -6.5%, said Bellefquih. On the other hand, the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region experienced an increase of +135%, Darâa-Tafilalet recorded +61.50%, Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra is up +44% and the Oriental +25%.

Regarding active cases, they went from 4,736 cases two weeks ago to 5,109 on Monday, an increase of 8%. But this same Monday, a 12.2% drop in critical or severe cases admitted to intensive care units was recorded, from 444 cases to 390 cases. In addition, the incidence rate went from 10.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants to 9.8, still over the past two weeks, not to mention that the virus reproduction rate is also declining, currently standing at 0.95 instead of 1 a few days ago, although the death curve is experiencing a slight increase.

With these data, the epidemiological situation in Morocco seems to be improving, noted Bellefquih, while urging citizens to continue to respect preventive measures for the good of all. Taking the same opportunity, he welcomed the progress of the vaccination campaign, noting that this Monday, April 26, 2021, Morocco has received a new delivery of the Chinese vaccine "Sinopharm". Thus, the vaccination campaign will also take into account people between 55 and 60 years old, he concluded.