BEIRUT, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Health Ministry announced on Thursday that the number of COVID-19 cases has risen to 149, LBCI TV channel reported.
Health Minister Hamad Hassan noted that the situation in Lebanon has become more serious because the ministry is incapable of specifying the source of six newly detected cases.
Hassan asked security forces to increase their control by preventing people from leaving their houses.
Meanwhile, Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad said her ministry will launch later in the day a website dedicated to news and studies about COVID-19 to raise awareness among people.
Atika Berry, head of Preventive Medicine at the Health Ministry, promised that public hospitals across the country will be soon ready to receive infected people.
The Lebanese government has adopted a series of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, including the closure of public departments, shops, schools, and malls.
The coronavirus has so far claimed the lives of four people in Lebanon.
