Lebanon’s confirmed coronavirus cases have surged from 93 to 99, the Health Ministry announced at noon Sunday.

In a statement, the ministry said the tally includes the cases reported by both the state-run Rafik Hariri University Hospital and the country’s private hospitals.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Sunday called on the Lebanese not to leave their homes unless it is extremely necessary as a precaution against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

“Brother and sisters, you came here despite the fears over leaving homes and mixing with people, but your faith and our faith remain stronger than fear,” al-Rahi said in his Sunday Mass sermon.

Lebanon is poised to declare a state of emergency to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, media reports said.

“Lebanon is inclined to declare an official state of emergency for 15 days during which institutions still working will be closed, except for those belonging to vital daily sectors,” An-Nahar newspaper reported on Sunday.

Economy Minister Raoul Nehme asked owners of supermarkets and grocery stores to “temporarily” extend working hours in order to service customers through limiting their numbers inside the stores as a measure against the spread of coronavirus.

Nehme held a meeting with importers, owners of supermarkets and grocery stores. He asked them to extend working hours while respecting “containment precautions” against the disease for their own safety and that of customers.

Lebanon’s Cabinet will hold an “emergency” meeting on Sunday and the Higher Defense Council will convene afterwards to review the state’s ongoing response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Health Ministry announced that the number of people infected with COVID-19 coronavirus rose to 93 on Saturday.

Health Minister Hamad Hassan on Saturday stressed the necessity for self-quarantine to reduce the risk of contracting coronavirus or spreading it to others.

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Friday stressed that the Health Ministry has been transparent in reporting coronavirus cases, as he noted that it is up to the government to declare a state of emergency should the need arise.

“The Health Ministry has been transparent from the first day and all claims about a cover-up by the Health Ministry or Hizbullah are baseless and mere lies,” Nasrallah said in a televised address focused on the coronavirus crisis.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Friday urged the government to lockdown the entire country as a precaution against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, warning that the LF may file lawsuits against Prime Minister Hassan Diab and Health Minister Hamad Hasan should the infections increase dramatically.

“If the government doesn’t take the necessary measures, and if we reach the state which we believe will be reached – a significant increase in the coronavirus infections in Lebanon in a manner that exceeds the capacity of hospitals and medical crews and infrastructure and people start dying on the streets, we will file lawsuits against PM Hassan Diab and Health Minister Hassan Diab, seeing as we represent broad popular segments,” Geagea said at a press conference.

Religious authorities moved to cancel or limit weekly prayer gatherings in Lebanon on Friday to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus as they encouraged the faithful to pray for those afflicted by the global pandemic.

Friday prayers have been temporarily suspended in all Shiite mosques.