Panic prevails in Afghanistan due to coronavirus. The number of cases increased by 2,400% last month. Hospitals were filled with patients and supplies of medical supplies began to run out.
“Afghanistan is at a critical juncture in the fight to contain it coronavirus “Hospital beds are overcrowded in the capital Kabul and in many areas,” said Nilab Mobarez, acting president of the Red Crescent in Afghanistan, in a statement issued by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
The increase of cases intensifies pressures in a country where millions of people already live in poverty and health resources are scarce.
Over 2,300 new infections in 24 hours
The health authorities pointed out on Thursday (17/6) that in the last 24 hours 2,313 new infections were recorded and a record number of 101 deaths due to COVID-19. Officials and experts have said that the small number of tests performed means that the official data show a dramatically underestimated situation.
Its fragile health system Afghanistan has been destroyed as the Athenian News Agency reports from decades of war. Violence has escalated in recent months, with US-led foreign forces withdrawing by September and peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban fighters have largely stalled.
Large hospitals are now closed to new COVID-19 patients after a large influx of cases caused by a lack of beds and oxygen.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has warned that the lack of access to vaccines and the reluctance of citizens are exacerbating the situation. Less than 0.5% of Afghans have been fully vaccinated.
About 700,000 doses of Chinese Sinopharm vaccine arrived in the country last week, allowing authorities to begin the next round of the vaccination campaign.
The IFRC is working with Afghan authorities to provide more supplies and boost medical oxygen production, according to Nessefor Magdi, head of the IFRC mission in Afghanistan.
“We need more support to be able to win this battle against the virus, so that we can save thousands of lives,” he said.
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