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Severe Covid-19 cases and the rising number of coronavirus-related deaths recorded in some cities of the country, mainly in Tangier, are not due to any genetic mutation, said Friday Minister of Health, Khalid Ait Taleb.
«The epidemiological situation in Morocco is not different from the situation across the world. Certainly, we have rates and indicators which are very interesting and encouraging, nevertheless we have recently observed the emergence of serious cases and an increasing number of coronavirus-related deaths in Tangier compared to other cities such as Fez, Casablanca and Marrakech», Ait Taleb told MAP.
He stressed in this regard that «the genome of the coronavirus detected in Morocco has not witnessed any mutation since it is still the strain which existed and which circulated since the start of the appearance of the pandemic and which we find even in asymptomatic people».
Studies carried out at two different centers have shown that the genomic mutation in no way explains the rising number of serious cases and coronavirus-related deaths, the minister pointed out.
«On the other hand, what could explain this phenomenon is that since the beginning of the 3rd phase of the lifting of lockdown measures, we have observed that there has been a complacency in complying with hygiene and barrier measures», he said.
This complacency has exposed to the virus a population that is still vulnerable and of a certain age, in addition to people suffering from chronic diseases, he added.
In this regard, he stressed the importance of complying with health precautionary measures to stop the spread of Covid-19, in particular in this summer period and on the eve of some celebrations, including Eid Al Adha, in order to safeguard of everyone, including the most vulnerable ones.
The minister underlined the need to wear protective masks and comply with barrier measures.
