Lebanon's Coronavirus Cases Jump by 18 to Hit 248

Lebanon confirmed 18 more coronavirus infections on Sunday, raising the overall tally to 248, the Health Ministry said.

“There are also five cases reported by laboratories not accredited by the Ministry and they require re-confirmation at the Hariri hospital,” the Ministry said in its daily report.

It added that citizens and residents need to abide by “all the precautionary measures, “especially full home quarantine,” noting that staying home has become “an individual and societal obligatory responsibility.”

“Any negligence in implementing it will subject violators to legal and penal prosecution,” the Ministry warned.

The Lebanese government on Saturday called in the army and security forces to ensure people stay at home to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus that has killed four people nationwide.

Last Sunday, the government ordered all people to stay at home and all non-essential businesses to close.

The airport has been shut since Wednesday.

Officials fear the local health system would struggle to cope if cases dramatically increase.