COVID-19's fifth wave hits the Gaza Strip due to 'significant increase' of daily infections

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said Wednesday evening that the besieged and impoverished coastal enclave is officially experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic's fifth wave due to "the significant increase" of daily infections. 

In a press statement sent to The New Arab, the ministry said that “the significant increase in daily recorded infections with the coronavirus, mostly driven by the omicron variant BA.5, which spreads faster than the other variants.” 

However, according to the statement, the number of infected cases needing hospitalisation is expected to be less than in previous waves. 

"The vaccination campaigns against Covid-19 have proven its effectiveness in enhancing immunity and providing opportunities to prevent infection and reduce its serious complications," the statement added. 

The ministry called on citizens to abide by safety procedures such as wearing a mask in public, and avoid crowded places, and getting the vaccine as soon as possible.

Officially, the first wave of the COVID-19 virus arrived in the Gaza Strip in August 2020.

So far, the Ramallah-based health ministry has reported 662,588 infected cases, including 335,202 in the West Bank, 76,530 in East Jerusalem, and 249,701 in Gaza.

In addition, the ministry recorded about 5,662 fatalities, including 3,379 deaths in the West Bank, 304 in East Jerusalem, and 1,979 in Gaza.