Omicron's BA.5 subvariant dominates new infections in Morocco, Health Ministry

Morocco is witnessing the fourth COVID-19 wave and the second Omicron wave, the Health Ministry announced Tuesday in its monthly statement on the epidemiological situation for the period from June 8 to July 4.

Omicron’s BA.5 sub-variant is dominating new infections by 70.5%, followed by BA.2 by 23%, and other Omicron sub-variants by 6%, added the Health Ministry.

During this wave and after five weeks of continuous rise in the rate of positive cases, the indicator remained stable in the last two weeks at 22.6%.

The positivity reproduction rate became equal to 1, which means that the country may reach a new peak in infections, as all regions are in the high red level, said the same source.

Following the high spread of the virus, admissions to intensive care units began seeing an increased number of severe and critical cases among patients, although the level remained lower than the previous Omicron wave, added the Ministry.

A total of 422 patients were admitted to the intensive care and resuscitation departments in the first six weeks of the current wave, while 1925 patients were admitted to these departments during the same period in the first Omicron wave, further specified by the Health Ministry.

Additionally, the death rate remains stable at a low level, as 42 deaths were recorded in the first six weeks of the current wave, said the same source.

Those deceased had an average age of 68, as 84% were aged over 60, and 95% of them were dealing with chronic diseases, added the same source.

Regarding their vaccination status, 42% of them were completely unvaccinated, and 34% received one or two shots of the vaccine more than a year ago, while a total of 10 people who had received the third booster shot for over 6 months passed away, were aged over 62 and had chronic diseases, according to the Ministry’s data.

Overall, the vaccination with the booster shot in the country reached 18%, with a continuity rate equal to 27.6%.

The current wave is the same as the first Omicron wave in terms of the spread, however, it has a lower death and severity rate, added the same source.

The Health Ministry called on people to receive the booster shot as soon as possible for those aged over 18 in order to raise their immunity system and avoid infection.

The Ministry also called on people aged over 60 and with underlying health conditions to receive the fourth booster shot, after 6 months from the third shot.

The Health Ministry urged people to continue respecting precautionary measures, especially with the approaching of Eid Al Adha in order to avoid another spike in cases.

The Ministry also called on people who experience some of the subvariant’s symptoms to wear masks, suspend activity, and to go to the nearest health center for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.