Covid-19 cases double, deaths triple in Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) on Tuesday said that the number of coronavirus cases has more than doubled and deaths from the virus tripled in the past two weeks in the country.

The coronavirus, which first broke out in Wuhan, China two years ago, has spread almost worldwide. Hundreds of millions of people were infected worldwide, with four million losing their lives.

11

The number of Covid-19 cases in Afghanistan reaches above 197,000

Dr. Javid Hajir, spokesman of the Ministry of Public Health, told Pajhwok Afghan News that a total of 95,1462 people underwent coronavirus tests since the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic, of which 179,279 tested positive cases, 162,202 recovered and 7,691 patients died.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus in Afghanistan and the world in the last two years, the cases of the virus usually soared in spring and winter, he said.

22

Coronavirus cases more than double

Spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Javid Hajir, said that 116 positive cases and two fatalities were registered in the first week of May, but 262 positive cases and six deaths were registered in the second week of this month.

“If one compares the cases recorded in these two weeks, it shows a 200.2 percent increase in positive cases and a threefold increase in fatalities in the second week compared to the first week of this month,” he said.

Health professionals say the number of coronavirus cases increase in the beginning of cold season and the arrival of warm seasons.

The MoPH spokesman said the cases in January of this year decreased by more than four times compared to April, but the cases increased again in May.

"In January we had registered 5,630 positive ceases and 60 deaths from the disease; in February, we recorded 10,276 positive cases 184 deaths,” he said.

He said that 3,760 positive cases, 60 deaths were recorded in March of this year, while 1,121 positive cases and 12 deaths were registered in April this year.

However, he said that 380 positive cases and eight deaths associated with the virus registered in 16 days of May.

He termed the increase in positive cases over the past two weeks as "worrying" and called on people to vaccinate themselves against the virus, in addition to following health guidelines.

333

Observing one meter distance, avoiding participation in crowded events, washing hands frequently with soap and water, using masks and disinfecting the environment are some of the health guidelines suggested by medical experts at the World Health Organization to prevent coronavirus spread.

mds/ma