Coronavirus in the Middle East

Inside an emergency room at Rafik Hariri Hospital on Nov. 17, a medic wearing full protective gear checks a woman who might have the coronavirus. Beirut hospitals are reaching maximum capacity amid an influx of coronavirus patients.

Lebanon's Full Hospitals Turn Away Coronavirus Patients Amid Record Daily Cases

5:55pm January 08, 2021

by Ruth Sherlock

A coronavirus surge is overwhelming hospitals, leading doctors to tell families to care for sick loved ones at home instead. Health workers fear New Year's parties could have led to further spikes.

Yehiya Sinwar, Hamas' leader in Gaza, pictured in 2017, is in stable condition, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

Gaza's Hamas Leader Gets Coronavirus As Palestinian Territories' Cases Surge

1:29pm December 01, 2020

by Daniel Estrin

Yehiya Sinwar has tested positive for the coronavirus as infections reach record levels in the Palestinian territories.

A medic checks the temperature of a Syrian worshipper before entering the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus to attend Friday prayer on May 15. To try to slow the coronavirus outbreak, the Syrian government has banned mass prayers and asked Syrians to stay home o

Syria Is Overwhelmed By Coronavirus As Govt Conceals Outbreak, Health Worker Says

4:37pm July 31, 2020

Medical workers in and outside the country say there's a lack of medicine and tests.

People walk and exercise at a promenade along the Mediterranean Sea during the coronavirus pandemic in Beirut, Lebanon, on May 3. The Lebanese government has decided to reimpose restrictions after a rise in cases.

After A Spike In Infections, Lebanon Reimposes Strict Orders To Stay At Home

4:04pm May 12, 2020

The Middle Eastern country had relatively few cases and had relaxed its shutdown.

Cats overtake an empty tourist shop in Jordan's ancient city of Petra.

Animals Roam Free In Petra Heritage Site Under Jordan's COVID-19 Lockdown

1:57pm May 07, 2020

by Jane Arraf

Tourists' absence from the ancient city has made way for the cats, dogs, birds and other creatures to take over.

Tour guide Mohammad Awwad by the Treasury in Petra, Jordan's biggest tourist destination.

'1st Time To See It Like This': Petra Tourism Workers Long For Visitors To Return

8:21am May 06, 2020

by Jane Arraf

The coronavirus pandemic has done what even war did not — bring Jordan's vital travel industry to a halt, and with it, the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers.

Qatar charity workers prepare food parcels for migrant laborers living under quarantine on April 16 amid the coronavirus pandemic in Doha. A restaurant better known for fine dining has lent its facilities to Qatar Charity to feed migrant workers, of whom

Migrants Are Among The Worst Hit By COVID-19 In Saudi Arabia And Gulf Countries

1:42pm May 05, 2020

by Ruth Sherlock

Even with stringent lockdowns, the coronavirus has spread through migrant communities in some Middle Eastern countries where foreign workers live in cramped quarters.

Mannequins dressed in wedding gowns and wearing protective face masks in Gaza City in March. With wedding halls closed and public gatherings forbidden to prevent the spread of the virus, many couples have celebrated their marriage in alleyways and apartme

In Gaza, Coronavirus Sparks Wedding Fever

3:09pm April 30, 2020

by Daniel Estrin

With wedding halls closed, Palestinians have saved big money with low-key parties.

A pop-up bakery in the town of Shoubak, Jordan, offers traditional Ramadan dessert known as qatayef a day before the start of the holy month.

Charity Gains New Importance For Muslims Observing Ramadan Amid Economic Shutdowns

1:18pm April 24, 2020

by Jane Arraf

Giving to the poor is an essential part of the holy month, which began Friday, and with so many people thrown out of work, observers say it's particularly needed now.

Iranians shop at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran on Monday. This week officials allowed major shopping areas to reopen, prompting a warning from Tehran's coronavirus task force.

Iran Hopes Slowing Rise Of COVID-19 Cases Means The Worst Is Over

1:03pm April 23, 2020

by Peter Kenyon

Iranian officials say new coronavirus case numbers and deaths are lower than before, but they urge for an end to sanctions under these hard circumstances.