Morocco announces end of fourth COVID-19 wave

Morocco’s Health Ministry announced the end of the fourth COVID-19 wave, after two consecutive weeks of low cases,  said Health official Mouad Merabet in a recent press conference.

Merabet said the country has witnessed the end of COVID-19 wave and the end of the second Omicron wave from July 5 to August 8.

“The spread of the virus will continue to drop, but it does not mean that it is over,” he added.

“Another wave is likely to appear, but not anytime soon,” the Health official further stated.

Omicron is still dominating cases nationwide, including the BA.5 sub-variant with 82.5%, followed by BA.2 with 10.5 %, and other sub-variants with 7%, according to Merabet.

The Health official said that during this fourth wave, only 999 cases of severe Covid were recorded, as citizens developed antibodies from a previous infection and vaccination immunity.

The death rate also dropped, noting that 182 deaths were recorded during this wave, compared to 1182 deaths during the first Omicron wave, a decrease of 85% between the two waves, specified Merabet.

The average death age recorded was 71, of whom 93% were chronically ill, added the Health official.

Regarding vaccination, the Health official said 18.3% of citizens received the third booster shot, and about 300.000 received the fourth shot.

The possibility of witnessing another wave in the future remains highly expected, he said, calling on people aged over 60, and those aged over 18 who suffer from chronic diseases to complete all COVID-19 shots in order to boost their immunity system and prevent infection.

“It is required to receive the third booster shot 4 months after the double dose, and the fourth shot 6 months after the third booster shot,” he further specified.

The Health Ministry also called on people who show respiratory symptoms to wear a mask, suspend activity and go to the nearest health center for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.