Refugees in Palestinian camp in Lebanon test positive

Authorities closed all entrances to a Palestinian refugee camp in eastern Lebanon Friday after four more people tested positive for the coronavirus, heightening concerns over the virus spreading among the population of overcrowded refugee camps and settlements.

The four infected with the virus are relatives of a woman who tested positive earlier this week and are isolating inside their home and so far not in need of hospitalization, according a statement from the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees.

The Palestinian woman who was taken to a hospital in Beirut this week became the first refugee living in a camp in Lebanon to contract the novel virus, a finding that triggered a spate of testing in the camp.

The five confirmed cases are residents of the Wavel camp in the city of Baalbek, known locally as the Jalil, or Galilee camp.

Health Minister Hamad Hassan told reporters after visiting a clinic at the camp that Lebanese authorities were working together with the U.N. and other agencies “to avoid an outbreak in the coming days.”

Most people who become infected experience mild to moderate symptoms.

But the virus can cause severe illness and lead to death, particularly among older people and those with underlying health problems. It is highly contagious and can be spread by those who appear healthy.