Rabat – Morocco’s Minister of Health, Khalid Ait Taleb, declared today that there is no genetic mutation in the virus causing COVID-19 following a recent increase in cases, severe symptoms, and deaths in some areas.
The minister explained to Moroccan state media that the epidemiological situation in Morocco does not differ in any way from the situation internationally.
Ait Taleb clarified that the genome of the strain of coronavirus in Morocco, namely COVID-19, is the same as the one that appeared at the beginning of the outbreak, on March 2.
The minister said the country has “very interesting and encouraging” indicators. Nevertheless, he acknowledged Morocco’s rising number of deaths related to COVID-19, and cases with severe symptoms, in the cities of Tangier, Fez, Rabat, and Casablanca.
In more detail, Ait Taleb said that several studies have shown there is no genetic mutation of the virus, and therefore it cannot relate to the rise in the number of deaths or cases with severe symptoms.
To back up his assertion, the minister attributed the inflation in part to the recent “indolence” of some regarding compliance with the preventive measures against COVID-19.
He referenced the beginning of Morocco’s third phase of easing its lockdown in Morocco.
This societal development, according to the official, allowed the virus to reach vulnerable individuals who already suffer underlying illnesses or comorbidities.
The number of active COVID-19 cases in Morocco with severe symptoms is 46 as of today, July 24, while the number of COVID-19-related deaths stands at 299.
The Ministry of Health reported seven additional fatalities in the last 24 hours, which is higher than many daily reports over recent months.
The COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms include 20 in the region of Casablanca-Settat, followed by 15 in the region of Marrakech-Safi. There are five in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region.
Meanwhile, the region of Fez-Meknes hosts four severe cases, followed by Rabat-Sale-Kenitra with two severe cases.
The sudden inflation in the number of deaths led Moroccan authorities to adopt certain measures to tackle the phenomenon.
These included the interdiction of the prayer of Eid Al Adha on the morning of July 31, which gathers large groups of worshippers.
