Abu Dhabi, UAE (CNN) Coronavirus is surging in some of the most populous nations in the Middle East and North Africa, with reported cases hitting record highs in recent weeks. Experts say floundering health care systems, information suppression, delayed government responses and premature reopenings contributed to the region's deepening crisis. Almost every day, the Egyptian Medical Syndicate publishes photos of dead health care workers with the words, "May God have mercy on their soul" in Arabic. Health care workers describe the situation as desperate, and complain of a shortage of protective equipment. In some countries, coronavirus is complicated by conflict.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 17, 2020 15:33 UTC