BEIRUT: Lebanon confirmed 272 new cases of coronavirus Saturday and four news deaths Saturday as cases surge amid chaos in Beirut following an explosion in Beirut Tuesday.

Of new cases 248 cases were detected locally and 24 were found among incoming arrivals, the total cases recorded in Lebanon is now 6,225.

A total 7,105 PCR test were carried out in the last 24 hours.

A massive explosion rocked Beirut Tuesday causing huge destruction, killing nearly 160 and injuring over 6,000.

In the wake of the blast Lebanese authorities dropped all coronavirus containment measures and a planned lockdown over the weekend.

The blast has also seen some 300,000 people displaced, leading to crowded homes.

The explosion has also led to large gatherings of people both to clear the damage done in the blast and protest against the government. On Saturday thousands traveled to Martyrs' Square in Beirut calling for the removal of the political class.

Alarmingly the highest concentration of coronavirus cases was found in Beirut, where 56 were detected. Of the new cases the source of 86 infections was untraceable as cases have spiraled beyond the countrys contact tracing capacity.

Amid the breakdown of social distancing measures, the head of Rafik Hariri University Hospital Dr. Firass Abiad Saturday was bleak about the countrys prospects.

Admitted patients doubled. The increase seems mainly in two geographical locations, Beirut and Mount Lebanon. The trend ... of new cases is unmistakable, we are heading towards tougher times, Abiad said in a series of tweets.

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