Libyan authorities expressed concern Friday over the spread of coronavirus in several cities and towns, warning that the situation became critical as more citizens continue to violate and disregard precautionary measures.
This came as Libya's National Center for Disease Control announced 1,004 new COVID-19 cases on Friday.
Head of the Supreme Committee to Combat Coronavirus Khalifa Al-Bakosh said the country is still in the fourth stage of the virus spread.
In a press conference held Thursday, at the Tripoli headquarters of the Government of National Accord, Bakosh warned that the epidemiological situation in Libya is still critical despite slight improvement compared to the week before.
He revealed that the committee has so far conducted more than 336,000 PCR tests, stressing that it seeks to reach 10,000 daily tests in the coming period.
Bakosh explained that COVID-19 infections in the country have been increasing recently due to public gatherings and citizens' violations of the committee's recommendations.
Libya's new cases raised the total number of infections in the country to 66,444. Meanwhile, the country registered 38,624 recoveries and 915 deaths.
The country reported its first COVID-19 case in March after which the Libyan authorities took a series of measures to contain the spread of the pandemic.
Libya closed its borders, shut down schools and mosques, banned public gatherings, and imposed curfew.
