One new death from coronavirus complications has been reported, bringing the number of fatalities to 37, while two other people have recovered from the disease which rises to 26 the number of recoveries, he added in a statement broadcast by MAP on its M24 channel and RIM radio.
Regarding the geographical spread of the virus, Casablanca-Settat is still the worst-hit region with 181 cases, ahead of Marrakech-Safi (115), Rabat-Salé-Kenitra (112), and Fez-Meknes (110), he said, noting that the first two cases of covid-19 have been reported in the regions of Laayoune-Sakia-Hamra, while Dakhla-Oud Eddahab remains the only region with no case of the disease.
According to El Youbi, 55% of cases were reported among men against 45% among women.
The average age of those who tested positive stands at 55, with an age range from a two-month-old infant to a 96-year-old man, he added.
Regarding the 26 recoveries recorded so far, the official said the average age among them is 43.5 years, with an age range between 9 months and 80 years.
Four of these people did not show symptoms when they were taken care of, 14 cases had mild symptoms, while 8 had "serious" symptoms but recovered, he added.
These cases are registered in the region of Casablanca-Settat (7 cases), Rabat-Salé-Kenitra (7), Fez-Meknes (5), Marrakech-Safi (4), and one case in each of the regions of Beni Mellal-Khénifra, Souss-Massa and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima.
Regarding the effectiveness of chloroquine in the treatment of coronavirus patients, El Youbi said "given the average treatment period of these recoveries is 12 days, it is too early to give a conclusion on the use of this drug protocol."
The official also underlined the importance of monitoring people who had contacts with infected cases as well as observing the confinement measures issued by the ministry, noting that among the 5,560 cases monitored, 70 patients showed no symptoms.