AMMAN — A recent hike in the number of COVID-19 infections
in the northern governorates —rising to 1,000 cases in Irbid in one day — may
be attributed to overpopulation in some areas and overcrowding in schools,
according to health officials, who said the epidemiological situation in the northern
region must be monitored over a certain period of time; at least for two more
weeks, before pressing the alarm buttons.
اضافة اعلان
Member of the Ministry of Health Epidemiological Committee
Muhannad Nsour told
Jordan News that “the situation is under control,”
and if hospital occupancy increases exponentially, patients could be
transferred to other hospitals in the southern region, where hospital-beds
occupancy remains manageable. “Unless
infections continue to rise abnormally,” there will be no closures or
lockdowns, he said.
Irbid Governor Radwan Otoum also believed that a hike in
infections over a few days is not enough indication of the epidemiological
situation and that “longer monitoring is needed” to assess the situation
accurately.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, 35 “COVID-19
police” have been deployed to carry out spot checks on public places to
increase people’s awareness of the importance of adhering to health measures as
well as the advantage of being immunized.
Otoum said strict inspections would continue until “we are
able to overcome this phase,” noting that 19 stores were closed on Saturday for
violating defense orders.
University of Science and Technology professor Ziad
Al-Dwiri, said different factors could have contributed to the recent increase
in infections, “and not one in particular,” adding that it could be due to the
rise in the number of tests, which would reveal a larger number of infections.
Dwiri said schools and universities, where infection rates are
high, are more crowded in Irbid and in the northern region than elsewhere in the
Kingdom.
Ahmed Ennab, a doctor at the King Abdullah Hospital said,
“COVID-19 does not distinguish between south and north,” cautioning that
citizens’ lack of adherence to health measures has been the primary factor for
the increase in the number of positive COVID-19 tests.
"People must be careful in public places, including
hospitals. During my work at the hospital, I witness large numbers of patients
and visitors who do not commit to wearing a face mask, assuming that a hospital
is a safe place,” he added.
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