RAMALLAH, Saturday, February 27, 2021 (WAFA) - The Palestinian Ministry of Health today expressed deep concern over the rise by 95 percent of the occupancy rate of intensive care units for coronavirus patients.

Annan Rashid, Coronavirus Patients Coordinator at the Ministry of Health, told Voice of Palestine radio that the 95 percent increase in the occupancy rate of the intensive care units for those who contracted the coronavirus disease is a "dangerous sign" that indicates a surge in the number of cases.

He warned that the health sector may not be able to deal with this significant increase in infections with the new mutations of the virus that began to affect young people and necessitating their transfer to hospitals.

Rashid said the British mutation led to the admission of 60 to 70 percent of the infected people to hospitals for treatment.

Afif Atawneh, in charge of the corona file in the south of the West Bank, said that those infected with the new mutations have severe symptoms, pointing out that they affect young people.

He warned that Palestine may witness an increase in the number of deaths in the coming period if people do not adhere to health safety measures.

Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh is expected to announce this afternoon new restrictions in the West Bank in light of the surge in the number of coronavirus cases, including the possibility of a total lockdown for two weeks, as recommended by the Ministry of Health.

M.K.