Morocco Weighs New COVID-19 Strategy as Cases Rise

Faced with the new wave of the pandemic that is leading Western countries to take drastic measures, "the time has come to put in place a new strategy based on the scientific approach," says Azeddine Ibrahimi, professor of biotechnology.

The professor, who does not rule out the probability of a flexible general confinement, remains a probable option, this "scientific approach" is based on an in-depth analysis of the health situation (contaminations, lethality, cases in intensive care, hotspots) and the definition of specific and global objectives.

From his reading of the current evolution of the pandemic, Azeddine Ibrahimi indicates that the virus is spreading rapidly with a crescendo evolution in the number of cases among Moroccans. A situation that is explained by the fact that about 50% of Moroccans do not respect the wearing of protective masks and the partial containment measures, and that more than 800 people are in intensive care, according to the available indicators. "We will need 7,500 intensive care beds and 4,500 ventilators by next December," he told La Map, adding that "If nothing changes, we risk having about 2,000 patients in intensive care in mid-November, which represents almost the entire intensive care capacity."

Faced with this worrying picture, Azeddine Ibrahimi affirms that Morocco will have to choose between the "flexible general confinement" strategy, which is based in particular on coexistence with the virus, the monitoring and isolation of patients and suspected cases with the socio-economic impacts that result from it, and the "discipline approach" towards the health instructions.