Coronavirus: State of emergency in Palestine to remain for 30 more days

To curb the spread of coronavirus, the Palestine government declared an extension of the state of emergency by 30 days in the Palestinian territories.

President Mahmoud Abbas came up with the announcement on Sunday, reports Xinhua.

In a presidential decree, Abbas urged the authorities concerned "to continue to take all necessary measures to face the dangers resulting from the coronavirus, protect public health and achieve security and stability."

So far, Abbas has issued a presidential decree for the fourth time to extend the state of emergency to fight the pandemic, which has so far claimed the lives of 19 people in the country.

On Sunday afternoon, Palestine announced 208 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the Palestinian territories up to 4,458.

The majority of the cases were found in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, the largest district in West Bank, which has become the new epicentre of the pandemic in Palestine.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said that out of the total coronavirus infections in the country, 50 are medical staff who contracted the disease during treatment of patients at hospitals.

It said three of the total cases are currently connected to a respirator, adding that the total number of respirators available in Palestine is 350, and most of which are occupied.

According to the ministry, 150 new respirators are expected to arrive in Palestine soon.

/UNB/