I’m opening a thread on the Coronavirus spread in Lebanon and I will update it on a daily basis. This will hopefully help keep the blog’s readers up to date with what’s happening, raise awareness on the virus and the precautions being taken and more importantly contain the panic that’s spreading faster than the virus.

First things first, here are the official numbers to call and websites to visit for any Corona-related emergency or inquiry:

[Ministry of Public Health – official Website]

Coronavirus Hotline: Call 76-592699 if the following symptoms appear (fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath) within 14 days after arriving from a country where cases of coronavirus have been reported.

For any inquiry regarding the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV:
Hotline: 1214
Service of Preventive Medicine: 01/843769 – 01/830300 Ext: 435-436-437
Center of the Quarantine at Beirut Airport: 01/629 352
Epidemiological Surveillance Program: 01/614194 – 01/614196

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Other useful links:

The World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: [Link]

Rolling Updates on Coronavirus disease worldwide: [Link]

Advice for Parents – UNICEF: [Link]

Lebanese Red Cross – Daily Reports on Coronavirus cases being handled: [Link]

Rafik Hariri University Hospital – Daily Report: [Link]

Thermal Scanners Deployed at Rafic Hariri International Airport
Today’s picture showing the newly-installed thermal scanners taken at the Beirut International Airport – March 13, 2020.

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March 17, 2020

Ministry of Public Health Report: 120 confirmed cases to date with two confirmed recoveries today.

Lebanese Red Cross Report:
– 120 confirmed cases.
– 3 confirmed recoveries.
– 3 confirmed deaths.
– 172 suspected transported cases till date.

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March 16, 2020

Ministry of Public Health Report: 109 confirmed cases to date.

Lebanese Red Cross Report:
– 109 confirmed cases.
– 1 confirmed recovery.
– 3 confirmed deaths.
– 139 suspected transported cases till date.

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March 15, 2020

Ministry of Public Health Report: 99 confirmed cases to date.

RHUH Report:
The hospital has stopped sharing a detailed report for some reason and is referring to the ministry report which doesn’t include any details.
– Total number of confirmed coronavirus cases at the RHUH is 52, 46 are in a stable condition while 2 remain critical.
– Total number of suspicious cases put under quarantine is 6.

LRC Daily Report:
– 99 confirmed cases.
– 1 confirmed recovery.
– 3 confirmed deaths.
– 139 suspected transported cases till date.

In the news:
– Lebanon moves down today to #45 worldwide in countries with the most coronavirus cases identified.
– The government has declared a “general mobilization” over the coronavirus crisis. Citizens are asked to stay home and public and private institutions as well as the airport and the land and sea ports of entry will be closed for two weeks.
– Lebanese citizens wishing to come back will be allowed to do so from March 15 until March 18 only as long as they test negative for the virus.
– Army had to clear Beirut’s corniche today after people went down for a walk and enjoy the nice weather. Army intelligence agents meanwhile asked citizens to leave the Dbaye seaside corniche. [Source]

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March 14, 2020

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) Report:
– Today’s report states a total of 93 cases till noon.

RHUH Report:
The hospital has stopped sharing a detailed report for some reason and is referring to the ministry report which doesn’t include any details.
– Total number of confirmed coronavirus cases at the RHUH is 48, 46 are in a stable condition while 2 remain critical.
– Total number of suspicious cases put under quarantine is 6.

LRC Report:
– 93 confirmed cases.
– 1 confirmed recovery.
– 3 confirmed deaths.
– 129 suspected transported cases till date.

In the news:
– Maronite Patriarch asked believers to join the Sunday mass via social media channels.
– On the other hand, Orthodox Churches have decided not to cancel their Sunday masses.
– Dar el Fatwa has decided to close mosques for the Friday prayers.
– Do Lebanon’s hospitals have enough beds for Coronavirus patients? [Source]
– LBCI reported coronavirus cases are up to 110 today. [Link]

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March 13, 2020

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) Report:
– Today’s report states a total of 77 cases till noon.
– A case was detected among the MOPH staff and was quickly taken in charge.

RHUH Report:
– 202 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, out of which only 6 tested positive (5 of them had already tested positive at other hospitals and were included in the MOPH morning report).
– 22 new people were put in quarantine, out of 220 who presented today.
– 20 patients left the RHUH quarantine unit, while 9 are still there.
– Total number of confirmed coronavirus cases at the RHUH is 45, 43 are in a stable condition while 2 remain critical.

LRC Report:
– 79 confirmed cases.
– 1 confirmed recovery.
– 3 confirmed deaths.
– 120 suspected transported cases till date.

In the news:
– Lebanon moves down today to #42 worldwide in countries with the most coronavirus cases identified.
– 11 new cases were identified today as per the MOPH’s morning report.
– 1 new case was identified and treated today at the RHUH, as per the RHUH’s evening report.
– 6 new cases were identified today as per the LRC’s evening report.
– Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah denies reports of infections within its headquarters.
– Thermal Scanners Deployed at Rafic Hariri International Airport. [Link]
– Schools, nurseries and universities to remain closed until March 22 at least.
– Municipalities take preventive measures against Coronavirus. [Link]
– According to an unverified internal memo among staff at Beirut‘s Rafic Hariri Airport, 14 airport officials have been confirmed to have Coronavirus.
– Coronavirus sparks fears for refugee camps. No registered cases so far. [Link]

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March 12, 2020

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) Report:
– Today’s morning report is very gloomy, not giving much details, claiming 66 cases have been registered in total, which means only 5 new ones were diagnosed until this morning, with a third death reported.

– What is sure is that the number is way higher, for this afternoon has registered plenty of new cases across many hospitals outside the RHUH.

RHUH Report:
– 206 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, out of which only 7 tested positive.
– 17 new people were put in quarantine, out of 158 who presented today.
– 19 patients left the RHUH quarantine unit, while 14 are still there.
– Total number of confirmed coronavirus cases at the RHUH is 38, 36 are in a stable condition while 2 are critical.

LRC Daily Report:
– 73 confirmed cases.
– 1 confirmed recovery.
– 3 confirmed deaths.
– 97 suspected transported cases till date.

In the news:
– Lebanon moves down today to #39 worldwide in countries with the most coronavirus cases identified.
– 5 new cases were identified today as per the MOPH’s morning report.
– 5 new cases were identified today as per the RHUH’s evening report.
– 12 new cases were identified today as per the LRC’s evening report.
– Third death from coronavirus reported in Lebanon, a 79-year-old cancer patient, who contracted it at the CHUNDS – Jbeil (Maounet) from the first death reported at the same hospital a few days ago.
– Jewish media is reporting Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is under quarantine as a precaution after meeting with affected Iranian military officials in Beirut, while senior Hezbollah officials have tested positive.
– The Council of Ministers decided to double internet speed and consumption volume for the final and insured internet subscribers on OGERO network, for free until end of April.
– Lebanon’s cabinet specializes 39 Million USD from a World Bank loan to equip governmental hospitals against Corona. [Link]
Video of passengers from yesterday’s Iranian plane being checked after stepping into the country sparks rage among Lebanese.
– Employees of the RHUH will be going on an open strike to protest nonpayment of their salaries and poor working conditions. The coronavirus wing, cancer treatments, the emergency unit and dialysis procedures are expemted from the strike.

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March 11, 2020

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) Report:
– As of today, the official number of cases reported will be issued by the Ministry of Public Health (yet to be done tonight), after the diagnosis of cases has been made available at 4 laboratories other than the RHUH one: Rizk, Roum, AUBMC, Hotel Dieu de France.
– The morning report for this day stated 61 cases in total:
1) 52 of all cases were diagnosed at Rafik Hariri University Hospital, while 9 people were diagnosed at University hospitals.
2) 37% of all cases involve patients traveling from outside Lebanon (Egypt, the United Kingdom, Iran and Switzerland).
3) 58 % of cases involve people who were in contact with confirmed cases (13 patients were in contact with the man who traveled from Egypt to Lebanon, 5 people were in contact with the patient who traveled from the United kingdom and 5 have had contact with the patients who returned from Iran), in addition to 3 cases under investigation (6%)
4) 11% of the cases reported in Lebanon are patients below the age of 20, 77% of the cases involve patients aged between 20 and 59, and patients above 60 represent 10% of the cases.

RHUH Report:
– 125 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, out of which only 5 tested positive.
– 14 new people were put in quarantine, out of 133 who presented today.
– 16 patients left the RHUH quarantine unit, while 18 are still there.
– Total number of confirmed coronavirus cases at the RHUH is 36, 34 are in a stable condition while 2 are critical.

In the news:
– Lebanon remains today at #34 worldwide in countries with the most coronavirus cases identified.
– 9 new cases were identified today as per the MOPH’s morning report.
– 5 more cases according to the RHUH afternoon report.
– Second death from coronavirus reported in Lebanon, a 55-year-old man transferred from the Middle East Institute of Health – University Hospital (Bsalim) to the RHU, who had not left the country recently, but who contracted the disease after getting in touch with one of his students who was abroad.
– Second case of coronavirus cured in Lebanon, diagnosed on 20/02/20 and discharged today after making a full recovery.
– The Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Nightclubs and Patisseries forced the closure of restaurants all over Lebanon starting tomorrow (12/03/20) as an effort to fight the spread of the coronavirus. Food delivery services though will be maintained.
– Flights, land and sea routes are suspended as of today with Italy, Iran, South Korea and China, according to Prime Minister Hassan Diab.
– The entry of passengers from nations with large coronavirus outbreaks such as France, Egypt, Iraq, U.K., Spain and Germany would be completely stopped after 4 days; a brief delay given for Lebanese citizens and diplomats to return home from these countries.
– A plane from Tehran (Iran) has landed at the Beirut International Airport at 20:45 tonight, carrying 140 “examined” people on board.
– The NDSC hospital in Jbeil (Maounet) announced that 10 of its medical personnel have tested positive for the virus, and that a critical case remains isolated within its walls.
– Lebanese people rush to supermarkets to fill their homes with food and basic household items, in unprecedented panic mode.

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March 10, 2020

LRC Report:
– 52 confirmed cases to date.
– 1 confirmed death to date, a 56-year-old man coming from Egypt via airplane on February 20, diagnosed on March 4 and transferred from the ICU of the NDSC – Jbeil to RHU after testing positive on that day.
– 80 suspected transported cases to date.

RHUH Report:
– 202 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, out of which only 11 tested positive.
– 21 patients left the RHUH quarantine unit, while 23 are still there.
– Total number of confirmed coronavirus cases are 51, 30 are in a stable condition while 3 are critical.

In the news:
– Lebanon ranks now at #34 worldwide in countries with the most coronavirus cases identified.
– 11 new cases were reported today, among which 5 from the medical personnel of the CHUNDS – Jbeil (Maounet) and 2 from Bsalim, as well as one from the UK and another from Dubai according to the MTV.
– Sanitary workers disinfect the desks and chairs of the Lebanese Parliament in central Beirut in iconic photo [Link].
– 4 laboratories will start conducting the coronavirus tests, with a cost of maximum 150,000LBP/person, aside from the saturated RHU lab: Rizk, AUBMC, Roum and the Hotel Dieu de France.
– Jordan bans air travel to Lebanon.
– The Beirut municipality has ordered, via its governor Ziad Chbib, the temporary closure of the following public parks: René Mouawad Garden and Horsh Beirut.
– Casino du Liban closes its doors as of tonight, on order from the Lebanese president.
– Terranet: 50GB free during the coronavirus outbreak. [Link]

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March 9, 2020

LRC Daily Report:
– 41 confirmed cases to date.
– 76 suspected transported cases to date.

RHUH Daily Report:
– 122 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, out of which only 9 tested positive.
– 16 patients left the RHUH quarantine unit, while 26 are still there.
– Total number of confirmed coronavirus cases are 41.

In the news:

– 9 new cases were reported today. Total is now 41, out of which 4 are in a critical condition. [Link]
– MEA Suspends KSA, Kuwait and Qatar Flights [Link]
– A patient suspected of contracting the virus tried to escape to the airport but was arrested there and returned to the hospital.
– According to the MOPH status report on the COVID-19, 1190 calls were made to the dedicated line 76-592699, out of which 40% were requesting information and 39% reporting illness.
– According to the same report, there are up to March 8 32 confirmed cases, out of which 38% came from Iran, 3% from Egypt and 3% from the UK.
– I received a screenshot of a WHO live chart showing 15 recovered cases in Lebanon as of March 9 but I could not locate the chart online yet. [Pending verification]
– Two flights from Iran were canceled today while another from Italy arrived, carrying 75 passengers on board. The government for some reason still did not decide to suspend flights from heavily impacted countries.
– Lebanese Parliament shut down for a week over coronavirus fears. [Link]

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March 8, 2020

LRC Report:
– 32 confirmed cases to date.
– 70 suspected transported cases to date.

RHUH Report:
– 116 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, out of which only 4 tested positive.
– 15 patients left the RHUH quarantine unit, while 19 are still there.
– Total number of confirmed coronavirus cases are 32, 29 are in a stable condition while 3 are critical.

In the news:
– Hotel Dieu received a patient who tested positive and was transferred to the RHUH.
– Police is shutting down nightclubs that did not abide by the coronavirus closure order.
– Nurseries, schools and universities will remain closed until March 15.

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March 7, 2020

LRC Daily Report:
– 28 confirmed cases to date.
– 59 suspected transported cases to date.

RHUH Daily Report:
– 140 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, out of which only 6 tested positive.
– 17 patients left the RHUH quarantine unit, while 15 are still there.
– Total number of confirmed coronavirus cases are 28.

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March 6, 2020

LRC Daily Report:
– 22 confirmed cases to date.
– 52 suspected transported cases to date.

RHUH Daily Report:
– 127 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, out of which only 6 tested positive.
– 20 patients left the RHUH quarantine unit, while 19 are still there.
– Total number of confirmed coronavirus cases are 22.

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March 5, 2020
LRC Daily Report:
– 16 confirmed cases to date.
– 47 suspected transported cases to date.

In the news:
– Measures at the airport consisting of spraying all the departments to fight the virus have started as of today, and will continue for 3 months.

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March 4, 2020
LRC Daily Report:
– 15 confirmed cases to date.
– 42 suspected transported cases to date.

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March 2, 2020
LRC Daily Report:
– 10 confirmed cases to date.
– 33 suspected transported cases to date.

In the news:
Lebanon’s first coronavirus patient has made a recovery after her tests came back negative Tuesday.

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March 1, 2020:
– Ministry of Health announced 3 new cases, which had been in self isolation following their arrival to Lebanon from Iran days before.

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February 28, 2020:
– A Syrian woman tested positive and was admitted to Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut.
– Education Ministry announced the closure of all educational institutions.

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February 26, 2020:
– A woman, who returned from Iran and was on board the same plane as the first patient, also tested positive.

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February 21, 2020:
– Lebanon confirmed the first case of COVID-19, a 45-year-old woman traveling from Qom, Iran