In response to a central question on "the reality and prospects of the fight against the repercussions of the coronavirus" at the monthly policy session of the House of Advisors, El Otmani stressed that the preventive measures taken to this effect have made it possible to keep the situation under control and to "avoid the worst-case scenario, namely the widening of the circle of contamination".

 The extension of the state of health emergency until 20 May has proved necessary to stem the spread of the epidemic and control the situation, he said, noting that on the instructions of HM King Mohammed VI, the national health system has been mobilized since the beginning to address the consequences of this health crisis.

 In this regard, the head of government welcomed the Sovereign's decision to place military medicine at the service of the civil one, thus enabling the mobilization and synergy of medical and health resources in order to preserve the safety and health of citizens.

 After noting that an amount of 2 billion dirhams has been allocated to the special Fund for the management of the coronavirus pandemic to cover expenses related mainly to the purchase of medical and hospital equipment, El Otmani highlighted the efforts made by the health sector, particularly in terms of consolidating reception capacities for cases of illness.

 In this context, he pointed out that 47 hospitals had been set aside for Covid-19 patients, with 1,826 beds in an initial phase, which could be reinforced if necessary in all regions.

 In addition, 1,214 resuscitation beds have been mobilized in public hospitals, of which 371 beds in University Hospital Centres (CHU) and 800 beds are ready to receive infected patients.

 Referring to measures relating to reception capacity, El Otmani stressed that the private clinics had mobilized an additional 504 resuscitation beds with all the necessary staff and medical equipment and made available a medical team of 985 doctors.

 Also, about 177 hotels and tourist units in 38 cities with a capacity of 7,600 beds have also housed suspected cases of infection and some health and safety professionals, he said.

 In terms of epidemiological vigilance, the head of government stressed that the national epidemiological surveillance system has played an important role in monitoring and reporting cases of Covid-19 infection since the outbreak of the epidemic worldwide. He cited a series of measures taken to strengthen vigilance at the National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (CNOUSP) since the announcement of the first infected cases in China, the implementation of the National Monitoring Plan and the increase in the frequency of laboratory testing to currently 2,000 tests per day.