Tangier COVID-19 Surge Not Linked to Virus Mutation, Health Ministry Study Finds

In a statement to the Map, the Minister of Health, Khalid Aït Taleb, affirms that the epidemiological situation in Morocco does not differ in any way from the situation on an international scale. However, he acknowledges that Morocco has rates and indicators that are very interesting and encouraging, which have been called into question by the recent appearance of serious cases and a rise in the number of deaths in Tangier compared to other cities like Fez, Casablanca and Marrakech.

According to him, the genome of coronavirus strains detected in Morocco has not undergone any mutation, as it is the strain that existed and has been circulating since the beginning of the pandemic’s appearance, and which we even find in asymptomatic people.

For the Minister of Health, studies carried out at two different centers have shown that genomic mutation does not in any way justify this observation of serious cases or increased lethality. Trying to justify this increase, the minister argues that it would be linked to the relaxation in compliance with hygiene and barrier measures observed since the beginning of the 3rd phase of the lifting of confinement.

According to the Minister of Health, this relaxation has exposed a vulnerable and elderly population or suffering from underlying diseases or comorbidities to the virus. Continuing his explanations, Ait Taleb also called on Moroccans to respect the health measures which "remain the panacea today to be able to stop the spread of covid-19, particularly during this summer period and on the eve of certain festivities such as Eid Al Adha, in order to protect the health of everyone, including the most vulnerable."