Algerian Health Minister Abdel Rahman Ben Bouzid said he prefers a third COVID-19 wave to hit the country so that people adhere to the preventive measures, especially social distancing and wearing masks.
The country’s coronavirus curve has continued to rise for the past week, with over 200 infections recorded per day compared to less than 100 earlier.
While touring public clinics in Algiers, journalists asked Ben Bouzid whether the Scientific Committee for Monitoring the Coronavirus Pandemic is expecting a new wave.
“We’d better be exposed to a third wave of infections so that citizens adhere to the health protocol,” he replied.
His response reflected the government’s dissatisfaction with people’s indifference, especially in markets that have been overcrowded since the beginning of Ramadan.
Medical staff “is fully prepared (to face a third wave), and has taken all the precautions,” the Minister affirmed, noting that most countries have been hit by a third wave over new strains.
Commenting on the slow pace of vaccination, Ben Bouzid blamed it on the limited number of doses received by Algiers.
He pointed out that the whole world is struggling with vaccine availability, adding that even some producing countries are not able to provide jabs for their citizens.
Ben Bouzid confirmed efforts by relevant authorities to obtain more doses, noting that several contracts with manufacturing companies and countries have been signed.
He seemed optimistic about receiving “large quantities of COVID-19 vaccines soon,” without specifying the source.
“We are expecting additional doses in May,” he said, noting that two previous batches were supposed to be delivered in January and February.
On Tuesday, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune ordered the Scientific Committee to conduct an “urgent” epidemiological probe on the new variants, intensify awareness campaigns and ensure people’s abidance by the preventive measures.
