A total of 24,881,749 people have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while the number of fully vaccinated people (1st and 2nd doses) has reached 23,372,862, the ministry pointed out in its daily COVID-19 bulletin, noting that 6,709,354 people have received the third dose of the vaccine, while 30,859 people have received the fourth dose.

According to the same source, the number of COVID-19 cases reported since the start of the outbreak of the virus rose to 1,262,887, while recoveries increased to 1,244,813, i.e. a recovery rate of 98.6%.

The new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the regions of Casablanca-Settat (47), Fez-Meknes (36), Eastern region (26), Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (22), Rabat-Salé-Kenitra (20), Souss-Massa (11), Marrakech-Safi (09), Beni Mellal-Khenifra (09), Guelmim-Oued Noun (06), Dakhla-Oued Eddahab (02), Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra (02) and Draa-Tafilalet (01).

As for coronavirus-related fatalities, they increased to 16,260, with one death reported in the past 24 hours in the region of Souss-Massa.

The number of active cases has dropped to 1,814, while 03 severe or critical cases have been reported in the past 24 hours, bringing their total number to 48.

"Morocco has experienced a fourth wave of community circulation of COVID-19 that lasted 11 weeks and reached its peak in the two weeks from June 20 to July 03," said the coordinator of the National Center for Emergency Operations of Public Health of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Mouad Mrabet, in his presentation of the bi-monthly review of the epidemiological situation (July 05 to August 08, 2022).

The end of an epidemic wave does not mean the end of the epidemic, warned Mrabet, stressing that the spread of the virus will continue at a low level with the possibility of the appearance of a possible, but not imminent, wave.

In the same context, the Moroccan official noted that the last two weeks have been marked by a gradual decline in the level of virus circulation, he assured, noting that the rate of positivity of the tests went from 22.6% during the peak week to 3.2% last week, with an index of reproduction of cases that stands at 0.83.

According to the latest reports from the National Genomic Surveillance Consortium, the Omicron mutant is still prevalent with two main sub-mutants (BA.5 82.5%) and (BA.2 10.5%), compared to 7% for the other sub-mutants, he noted.

Regarding other indices, Mrabet reported a 76% decrease in the number of serious or critical cases in the resuscitation services to settle at 999 cases during this 4th wave, against 4,201 that were admitted during the same period during the 1st wave of Omicron. This result is due to the fact that citizens acquire natural and vaccine immunity against severe and critical cases, he argued.

A total of 931 serious cases due to COVID-19 have been avoided during the current wave and this thanks to the national vaccination campaign, he noted, citing data from the Center for Emergency Operations of Public Health under the Ministry.

Regarding cases of death, they have reached 182 during this wave, against 1,182 during the 1st wave of Omicron, a decrease of 85% compared to the two waves.

Regarding the national vaccination campaign, the rate of people who took the booster dose reached 18.3%, while nearly 30,000 people received the 4th dose, it is said.

The head of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection reiterated the call to all citizens aged 60 and 18 years and over, as well as people with chronic diseases to receive the booster dose, six months after receiving the 3rd dose, urging people with respiratory symptoms to wear the mask and stop any professional or social activity, while going to health facilities for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

The cereal area sown under the campaign is 3.6 million hectares against 4.35 million hectares in the previous campaign, said the ministry in a statement.

By species, the cereal production is divided into soft wheat (18.9 MQX), durum wheat (8.1 MQX) and barley (7 MQX).

According to the Ministry, 58% of production comes from the favorable regions of Fez-Meknes and Rabat-Salé-Kenitra, noting that irrigated cereals have contributed only 20.7% of total production.

 "This is due to the decline in the irrigated area of cereals and irrigation restrictions in the perimeters of large hydraulic," said the statement.

The 2021/2022 crop year has recorded a rainfall that reached at the end of May 2022, 199 mm, down 44% compared to the average of 30 years (355 mm) and a drop of 34% compared to the previous campaign (303 mm) on the same date.

Mohamed Fares won the silver medal with a time of 13min 54sec 0/100, ahead of the Bahraini Birhanu Balew who came first (13min 51sec 6/100). The third place went to the Ugandan Abel Chebet with a time of 13min 54sec 9/100.

The other Moroccan participating in this race, Soufiyan Bouqantar arrived 5th with a time of 13min 57sec 4/100.

Organized in response to a recommendation issued during the 2nd session of the Foundation's Supreme Council held on November 3 and 4, 2018 in Fez and on the organization of an annual Quranic competition, this three-day religious competition will be marked by the presence of presidents and members of sections representing 34 African countries as well as the participation of 88 candidates in three specific categories related to the memorization and recitation of the Holy Quran, said a statement by the Foundation received Monday to MAP.

The Foundation also plans to organize an exhibition of the manuscripts of the Holy Quran tracing its history from the beginning of Islam to the present day, especially in terms of printing.

The statement said, moreover, that participants in this Quranic competition will be invited to take part in a workshop on the calligraphy of the Holy Quran, supervised by calligraphers and experts in verification and authentication.

The Foundation commends the efforts of the members of the Tanzanian section, led by its president Sheikh Aboubakr Zoubeir Ben Ali, to ensure the success of this contest as well as the Tanzanian authorities for their support.

A total of 24,881,011 people have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while the number of fully vaccinated people (1st and 2nd doses) has reached 23,372,022, the ministry pointed out in its daily COVID-19 bulletin, noting that 6,705,951 people have received the third dose of the vaccine, while 30,215 people have received the fourth dose.

According to the same source, the number of COVID-19 cases reported since the start of the outbreak of the virus rose to 1,262,696, while recoveries increased to 1,244,486, i.e. a recovery rate of 98.6%.

The new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the regions of Casablanca-Settat (19), Rabat-Salé-Kenitra (19), Eastern region (17), Souss-Massa (06), Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (06), Marrakech-Safi (04), Fez-Meknes (02) and Beni Mellal-Khenifra (01).

As for coronavirus-related fatalities, they increased to 16,259, with two deaths reported in the past 24 hours in the regions of Casablanca-Settat and Souss-Massa.

The number of active cases has dropped to 1,951, while 09 severe or critical cases have been reported in the past 24 hours, bringing their total number to 61.

The number of passengers indicates a 10% increased when compared to that of 2019, said a statement from Tanger Med Port Authority, adding that 136,263 vehicles have returned to Morocco through the northern port Tanger during the same period.

Two peaks were recorded during the weekends of 02 to 04 July and 30 July to 1 August, corresponding to arrivals of 62,759 and 61,468 passengers respectively.

The Marhaba operation is taking place in good conditions, thanks to the involvement of all stakeholders involved in the operation including local authorities, the DGSN, Customs, the Border Health Control and the Royal Gendarmerie, in coordination with the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, said the statement.

In this regard, the port authority invites travelers to consult the traffic forecasts available on the website and mobile application, and plan their return to avoid periods of high waiting, especially the period of heavy traffic from 25 to 30 August 2022, according to the schedule provided.

Similarly, the port authority informs passengers that they will need to carry a return ticket issued by their shipping company that specifies a firm date and time of travel before they go to the port.

Numerous communication tools are available to passengers to keep them informed about the latest news from the port of Tangier Med Passengers, including social networks, the website www.tangermed-passagers.ma, the mobile application, and Radio Tanger Med (which broadcasts on FM 100 and in streaming).

This clarification was released on Monday as a response to "untruths" contained in a statement released by the so-called Support Committee of Omar Radi, Soulaiman Raïssouni, Maati Monjib and Victims of the Violation of Freedom of Speech. These untruths concerned the detention conditions of the so-called "S.R." in the Ain Borja local prison where he is serving a five-year sentence.

The DGAPR explained that it had already issued several clarifications on the situation of the above-mentioned prisoner in which it had denied the allegations made by his wife and relayed by some parties who claim to defend human rights, according to which the papers and books of the detainee were torn at the time of his transfer from Ain Sbaâ I to Ain Borja in the same city.

The DGAPR recalled having stressed in the said communiqués that "the conditions of detention of the above-mentioned resident are normal and that his refusal to benefit from walking time, family visits or to meet his lawyer is a personal decision that does not involve the administration of the penitentiary establishment."

"The obstinacy of the aforementioned Committee to continue to disseminate such nonsense and unfounded accusations illustrates the determination of their authors to undermine not only the prison administration and its staff, but also the image of the Kingdom internally and externally, even if it means serving as a tool in the pay of foreign organizations and entities that have adhered to a campaign hostile to Morocco that coincides with the celebrations of the glorious Day of Throne", it adds.

"These parties instrumentalize a set of cases of detainees prosecuted in common law cases to try to damage the reputation of Morocco in terms of human rights with suspicious agendas, but known to all," stressed the DGAPR. "It turned out, without a shadow of a doubt, that the reports of these international organizations are prepared according to the interests of the countries whose agenda they serve, which makes them lose all credibility and objectivity."

Organized until August 9 by the Moroccan Youth Forum, in partnership with the Master "Linguistics and English Language" of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of Marrakech, and the English Language Center WLC, the conference aims to improve the communication skills of young people according to the standards of the United Nations.

It is also meant to improve their language skills, introduce them to debate and discussion techniques, and strengthen their interest in international issues, such as the national question, conflict resolution techniques, and their involvement in decision-making.

In the opening session, participants stressed the importance of this event which provides an opportunity to present and discuss issues inherent to youth, including scientific research, education, training and coexistence, as well as an occasion to sharpen their communication skills, a mechanism that carries values and principles.

They also noted that building the diplomatic capacity of youth is a priority for Model UN, to enable them to defend national interests according to UN standards.

In this regard, they recalled that Model UN, a conference launched in Morocco since 2014, also offers partcipants in this event the opportunity to discover Moroccan culture in all its diversity and richness, as well as to build lasting friendships with Moroccan youth.

According to the website of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, this refusal came when the Libyan referee of the game, Yahya Abdelghani, whistled a penalty in favor of Morocco, while the score was 3 goals each at the last minutes of the match.

Morocco's goals were scored by Anouar Frindi and Azzedine El Hamidi.

In the first leg, held in Abidjan, Morocco lost (7-6).