Coronavirus: Lebanon sees highest single-day jump in COVID-19 cases

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported 63 new cases of the coronavirus on Thursday, the largest single-day increase since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Lebanon has seen an increase in cases in recent weeks after it began easing lockdown measures as part of a gradual re-opening of its crisis-hit economy. Many of the new cases are the result of Lebanese expatriates returning home, Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad.

The country of about 6 million has recorded 1,024 cases and26 deaths, according to the Health Ministry.

Abdel Samad said that lockdown restrictions would remain in place until at least June 7 as part of the gradual re-opening of the economy.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that the country is at risk of a major food crisis and many Lebanese may soon find it hard to afford bread because of an acute financial crunch and the fall-out of COVID-19, the prime minister warned.

Writing in the Washington Post, Diab also warned of a global food security emergency triggered by the pandemic.