Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Community Health 3/2021

Open Access 01-06-2021 | COVID-19 | Original Paper

COVID-19 Pandemic: An Insult Over Injury for Lebanon

Authors: Abdul Rahman Bizri, Hussein H. Khachfe, Mohamad Y. Fares, Umayya Musharrafieh

Published in: Journal of Community Health | Issue 3/2021

Login to get access

Abstract

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) caused a plethora of challenges worldwide and tested healthcare systems across the six continents. Lebanon had recently faced harsh political and economic crises. We aim to describe the effect of COVID-19 on an already crisis-stricken country. A descriptive analysis of the burden of COVID-19 pandemic on Lebanon was performed. Relevant data on COVID-19 was retrieved from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health from February 21 till June 13th, 2020. Results obtained were analyzed and a literature review was performed. 1422 confirmed COVID-19 cases were identified and reported in Lebanon by June 13th, 2020, comprising an incidence rate of 208/million persons. There has been a total of 31 deaths thus far, with a reported death rate of 5/million persons. The age group with the highest number of cases was 20–29 years. Beirut was the district with the highest number of cases (18%). The COVID-19 crisis has impacted the country on a multifactorial level. COVID-19 could not have come at a worse time for Lebanon. The country is on brink of bankruptcy, the healthcare system is struggling for survival and the government is striving to regain the trust of the population. 
Literature
1.
go back to reference Delivorias, A., & Scholz, N. (2020) Economic impact of epidemics and pandemics. Delivorias, A., & Scholz, N. (2020) Economic impact of epidemics and pandemics.
2.
go back to reference Colzani, E. (2019). Beyond morbidity and mortality: The burden of infectious diseases on healthcare services. Epidemiology and Infection, 147, e251.CrossRef Colzani, E. (2019). Beyond morbidity and mortality: The burden of infectious diseases on healthcare services. Epidemiology and Infection, 147, e251.CrossRef
4.
go back to reference Neal, M. W., & Tansey, R. (2010). The dynamics of effective corrupt leadership: Lessons from Rafik Hariri’s political career in Lebanon. The Leadership Quarterly, 21(1), 33–49.CrossRef Neal, M. W., & Tansey, R. (2010). The dynamics of effective corrupt leadership: Lessons from Rafik Hariri’s political career in Lebanon. The Leadership Quarterly, 21(1), 33–49.CrossRef
5.
go back to reference Nuwayhid, I., & Zurayk, H. (2019). The political determinants of health and wellbeing in the Lebanese uprising. The Lancet, 394(10213), 1974–1975.CrossRef Nuwayhid, I., & Zurayk, H. (2019). The political determinants of health and wellbeing in the Lebanese uprising. The Lancet, 394(10213), 1974–1975.CrossRef
8.
go back to reference Zhang, L,, et al. Clinical characteristics of COVID-19-infected cancer patients: A retrospective case study in three hospitals within Wuhan, China. Annals of Oncology. Zhang, L,, et al. Clinical characteristics of COVID-19-infected cancer patients: A retrospective case study in three hospitals within Wuhan, China. Annals of Oncology.
10.
go back to reference Bizri, A. R., Dada, B. A., & Haschicho, M. H. (2019). Defamed relations: Host community and refugees. The Lancet, 393(10182), 1697–1698.CrossRef Bizri, A. R., Dada, B. A., & Haschicho, M. H. (2019). Defamed relations: Host community and refugees. The Lancet, 393(10182), 1697–1698.CrossRef
11.
go back to reference CDC. (2020). Resources for clinics and healthcare facilities. Atlanta: CDC. CDC. (2020). Resources for clinics and healthcare facilities. Atlanta: CDC.
12.
go back to reference WHO. (2020). Guiding principles for immunization activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Geneva: WHO. WHO. (2020). Guiding principles for immunization activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Geneva: WHO.
13.
go back to reference El Zarif, T., et al. (2020). Measles and mumps outbreaks in Lebanon: Trends and links. BMC Infectious Diseases, 20(1), 244.CrossRef El Zarif, T., et al. (2020). Measles and mumps outbreaks in Lebanon: Trends and links. BMC Infectious Diseases, 20(1), 244.CrossRef
14.
go back to reference Jaakkimainen, R. L., et al. (2014). How infectious disease outbreaks affect community-based primary care physicians: Comparing the SARS and H1N1 epidemics. Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien, 60(10), 917–925.PubMedPubMedCentral Jaakkimainen, R. L., et al. (2014). How infectious disease outbreaks affect community-based primary care physicians: Comparing the SARS and H1N1 epidemics. Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien, 60(10), 917–925.PubMedPubMedCentral
27.
go back to reference Hawryluck, L., et al. (2004). SARS control and psychological effects of quarantine, Toronto, Canada. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 10(7), 1206–1212.CrossRef Hawryluck, L., et al. (2004). SARS control and psychological effects of quarantine, Toronto, Canada. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 10(7), 1206–1212.CrossRef
28.
go back to reference Reynolds, D. L., et al. (2008). Understanding, compliance and psychological impact of the SARS quarantine experience. Epidemiology and Infection, 136(7), 997–1007.CrossRef Reynolds, D. L., et al. (2008). Understanding, compliance and psychological impact of the SARS quarantine experience. Epidemiology and Infection, 136(7), 997–1007.CrossRef
29.
go back to reference Jeong, H., et al. (2016). Mental health status of people isolated due to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. Epidemiology and Health, 38, e2016048–e2016048.CrossRef Jeong, H., et al. (2016). Mental health status of people isolated due to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. Epidemiology and Health, 38, e2016048–e2016048.CrossRef
32.
go back to reference Mihashi, M., et al. (2009). Predictive factors of psychological disorder development during recovery following SARS outbreak. Health Psychol, 28(1), 91–100.CrossRef Mihashi, M., et al. (2009). Predictive factors of psychological disorder development during recovery following SARS outbreak. Health Psychol, 28(1), 91–100.CrossRef
34.
go back to reference Bai, Y., et al. (2004). Survey of stress reactions among health care workers involved with the SARS outbreak. Psychiatric Services, 55(9), 1055–1057.CrossRef Bai, Y., et al. (2004). Survey of stress reactions among health care workers involved with the SARS outbreak. Psychiatric Services, 55(9), 1055–1057.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
COVID-19 Pandemic: An Insult Over Injury for Lebanon
Authors
Abdul Rahman Bizri
Hussein H. Khachfe
Mohamad Y. Fares
Umayya Musharrafieh
Publication date
01-06-2021
Publisher
Springer US
Keyword
COVID-19
Published in
Journal of Community Health / Issue 3/2021
Print ISSN: 0094-5145
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3610
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-020-00884-y

Other articles of this Issue 3/2021

Journal of Community Health 3/2021 Go to the issue