Morocco has recorded a 12% Covid-19 recovery rate amid the spike in the number of confirmed cases of the disease in the last 24 hours.

The Ministry of Health announced 163 new confirmed cases, 43 new recoveries and two deaths, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 3,209, total recoveries to 393 and 145 deaths as of 6pm on April 21.

Casablanca-Settat and Marrakech-Safi remain the epicentres in Morocco, with more than half of the country’s COVID-19 cases recorded in the two regions alone.

The virus is also spreading rapidly in the Fez-Meknes, Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima and Rabat-Sale-Kenitra regions of the country.

Health authorities have also detected a new epicentre in Ouarzazate, southern Morocco.

Majority of the COVID-19 patients who are currently undergoing treatment (78%) have shown almost no symptoms. Around 17% suffer from mild symptoms, while only 5% are in critical condition and undergoing treatment in intensive care units.

“Only 14% of the country’s intensive care capacity is currently occupied,” Senior Health Official Mohamed Lyoubi said.

On April 18, the Moroccan government extended the coronavirus lockdown which was initially due to end on April 20, to May 20 2020.