Police, public pay tribute to Lebanon medics leading the battle against Coronavirus

Thousands of people around Lebanon stood and clapped on their balconies Sunday night in a show of support to members of the country's medical sector who are leading the battle against the new coronavirus.

At the Rafik Hariri University Hospital, police officers saluted doctors and nurses as well as the patients who are undergoing treatment.

The hospital now is the main centre in Lebanon to deal with virus patients.

Earlier in the day, Lebanon's Health Ministry reported 26 new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, raising the total to 438.

The ministry added in a statement carried by the state news agency that two more patients, both in their 70s, died, raising the total deaths in the country to 10.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.