WHO worries COVID-19 could worsen during Ramadan

WHO worries COVID-19 could worsen during Ramadan

The World Health Organization expressed concern Wednesday that the COVID-19 pandemic could worsen in the Middle East and North Africa during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Detected cases of Covid infection in the region rose 22 percent last week, while deaths rose 17 percent, said Ahmed al-Mandhari, the Cairo-based chief of the WHO for the eastern Mediterranean.

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Mandhari said the situation in the vast region reflects a "worrying trend“.

"We are especially worried that the current situation may worsen during Ramadan if people don't follow and adhere to the proven social measures that work,“ he told an online news conference.

Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam, began in most Muslim countries on Tuesday.

Observant Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, and traditionally gather with family and friends to break their fast in the evening.

"This year, like last year, people may feel that the spirit of Ramadan has changed because of social distancing and lockdowns,“ said Mandhari.

"But the actions that need to be maintained to help contain the pandemic are in line with the basic tenets of Islam: take care of your physical health and do no harm to others.“

Dalia Samhouri, WHO's