Fear of third wave rises in Algeria

Covid-19 infections in recent days have escalated to 200 a day.

JOHANNESBURG, April 19 (ANA) – The Algerian government has warned citizens that the country will soon be facing a third wave of Covid-19.

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, member of the health ministry’s scientific committee for monitoring the coronavirus pandemic Dr Riyad Mehdaoui told the country’s official radio station that the latest statistics on the number of cases were worrying,

“We must do everything to avoid a third wave that is threatening the world,” he said.

He also pointed to the slow vaccination pace compared to Europe, while ruling out reimposing strict measures and a full lockdown as well as reopening of the borders, which have been closed for over a year.

Regarding the vaccination campaign, he blamed the slow pace on the high demand for the jabs from manufacturing countries.

He also promised to bring in significant quantities of various vaccines late this month and in early May.

He urged people to preserve the gains made throughout the previous year.

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, Algeria has in recent months been reporting fewer than 100 infections a day and two to four deaths.

Infections in recent days, however, have escalated to 200 a day.

The emergence of the new coronavirus variants from the UK and Nigeria has caused major problems, Mehdaoui warned.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a medical source told Asharq Al-Awsat that only 15,000 people have received Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine so far even though Algeria had acquired 500,000 doses four months ago.

On March 29, Middle East Monitor reported that Algeria’s Ministry of the Interior revealed that the country has lost 500,000 jobs as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic.

In its latest update, Algeria has reported 119,642 coronavirus cases, 83,397 recoveries and 3,155 Covid-19-related deaths

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher