Covid-19 : Over 35,000 people checked at crossing points until March 8

More than 35,000 people were checked at all land, maritime and air-crossing points in Morocco until March 8, 2020, as part of the precautionary measures taken in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the ministry of Health announced on Wednesday.

According to the ministry, several measures have been adopted as part of precautionary measures taken in coordination with all stakeholders, including the strengthening of medical checks at land, maritime and air-crossing points for travellers coming from regions affected by the disease, the ministry added in a statement.

These measures also include the setting up of medical isolation units for suspected cases as well as tests at the laboratory (in all regions and provinces), in addition to mobile medical isolation units.

Moreover, the two national reference laboratories of the ministry of Health, namely the National Institute of Hygiene and the Pasteur-Maroc Institute in addition to the military laboratories, were provided with the necessary medical equipment for this purpose, it said, adding that equipped ambulances were mobilized at the various crossing points in the kingdom.

Training and awareness-raising sessions for health professionals on the disease, the diagnosis methods, management of possible cases and measures to prevent the spread of the virus were also carried out, it said.

In addition to that, two meetings of the National Expert Commission were held to agree on standards for diagnosis and treatment, the source added.

Similarly, a website dedicated to covid-19 disease has been created on the electronic portal of the ministry and is updated twice a day, it said.

The number of beds has been increased for the treatment of possible cases in several hospitals, while crisis cells were set-up at several Moroccan consulates and embassies in countries affected by the epidemic in order to communicate with the Moroccan community and provide them with the necessary prevention and protection advice.

According to the ministry, 78 possible cases were detected, including one death and 5 confirmed cases, while the tests of 73 cases turned out to be negative until March 11, 2020.