Coronavirus infections on rise in blockaded Gaza Strip

Ashraf Shannon
Press TV, Gaza

Coronavirus infections among the general population are still rising in the blockaded Gaza Strip. 

The number of infections has risen to over forty five thousand, mostly since August of last year. Hospitals in Gaza continue to run low on intensive care units and ventilators as well as medicines and equipment.

The Israeli blockade and multiple wars since 2007 have had a devastating impact on Gaza’s health sector.

The pandemic has complicated the already dire humanitarian situation in the blockaded Gaza Strip, threatening the socioeconomic welfare of Gazans as much as their health.

Local authorities in the tiny enclave have been desperately fighting to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They currently impose lockdowns from 8 PM until 7 AM and a complete curfew on Fridays and Saturdays.

Human rights groups have repeatedly warned of the catastrophic implications of coronavirus spread in the Gaza Strip.

Experts say Israel’s inhumane practices have compounded the risk of coronavirus infection for nearly two million Palestinians, making it extremely difficult to fight the pandemic.

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