Lebanon Records 2,385 New Coronavirus Cases, 11 More Deaths

By Staff, Agencies

Lebanon registered 2,385 coronavirus cases and 11 deaths in a 24-hour period Friday, as calls increased for a nationwide lockdown following a record-breaking week of infections.

Among the newly recorded cases, only four were from incoming travelers, bringing the total number of cases since the virus was first detected in late February to 183,888. The total number of deaths now stands at 1,466.

Lebanon's hit a record number of cases Thursday with 3,507 infections. It was the second day in a row when cases set a record.

A total of 16,984 PCR tests have been administered in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate of the tests in the last two weeks stood at 13.4 percent.

The Health Ministry said 1,133 cases were in hospitals with 454 patients in ICUs and 138 on mechanical ventilators.

The recent surge in cases has revived discussions on reimposing a total lockdown to rein in the spread of the virus. A decision is expected Monday, officials have said.