Hamas official warns strong Omicron wave to strike Gaza in coming weeks

Xinhua
11 Jan 2022, 11:49 GMT+10

GAZA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Health Ministry run by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Gaza on Monday warned that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 would rapidly spread in the Gaza Strip in the coming weeks.

"There are deep concerns and fear that the Gaza Strip will witness in the coming weeks a strong and uncontrolled wave of Omicron variant," health ministry official Majdi Dhair told Xinhua.

He said the several cases recently identified "weren't among returning travelers from abroad," which means that Omicron is already spreading in communities, and there are possible cases that the ministry doesn't know about.

"We have a fear that we're facing a rapid spread of the disease that will also be very violent and increase the number of patients needing urgent medical care," Dhair said, adding that the ministry in Gaza "can't deal with it."

On Sunday, Dhair urged the international community to pressure Israel to let more medical equipment into the Gaza Strip, including ventilators and oxygen.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Health Ministry in the West Bank has reported 291 new Omicron cases in the Palestinian territories combined so far this week, up from 49 last week.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Israel Herald.

More Information

3 ℃

Fog in Amman

International

Section

Dozens feared dead after boat capsizes off Florida

FORT PIERCE, Florida: The U.S. Coast Guard is searching the waters off eastern Florida, with hopes of saving 39 missing ...

Thailand decriminalizes marijuana, unclear about recreational use

BANGKOK, Thailand: In a landmark move, Thailand, on January 25, emerged as the first Asian nation to decriminalize the use ...

China again sends warplanes to Taiwan; US aircraft carriers enter area

TAIPEI, Taiwan: In its largest sortie in 2022, China sent 39 warplanes towards Taiwan on January 24, amidst tensions over ...

France appears to ensure Djokovic plays in French Open under new rules

PARIS, France: Under the latest COVID-19 rules adopted by the French government, leading tennis player Novak Djokovic could be allowed ...

Lack of in-class learning blamed for drop in US high school graduates

WASHINGTON D.C.: The percentage of students graduating from U.S. high schools in 2021 plummeted in twenty states due to Covid ...

Researchers: Shark attacks increase after 3 years of decline

GAINESVILLE, Florida: Shark attacks soared worldwide in 2021.Research conducted by the Florida Museum of Natural History and the American Elasmobranch ...

Business

Section