MECC Coronavirus (COVID 19) Weekly Report
SYRIA: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update No. 35
Reporting period: from 16 to 22 November 2020
Coronavirus cases: 7225 Active cases: 3752 Recovered: 3097 Deaths: 376[1]
Highlights
As of 21 November, the Syrian Ministry of Health (MoH) reported 7225 laboratory-confirmed cases, 3097 recoveries and 376 deaths.
In GoS-controlled areas of the country, the Syrian MoH as of 21 November has reported 7225 laboratory-confirmed cases. Of these, 7 were in Ar-Raqqa; 22 in Deir-Ez-Zor; 35 in Al-Hasakeh; 98 in Quneitra; 296 in As-Sweida; 324 in Dar’a; 327 in Hama; 353 in Tartous; 717 in Lattakia; 801 in Rural Damascus; 1155 Homs; 1364 in Aleppo; 1726 in Damascus.
In northwest Syria, The identification of COVID-19 cases is accelerating, with 13,179 confirmed cases as of 18 November
- 7,530 cases in the Idleb area and 5,649 in northern Aleppo governorate. 95 COVID-19 associated deaths have been recorded and 4,906 people have reportedly recovered.
-The percentage of current cases among healthcare workers increased to some 15 percent, A significant increase of positive cases has also been noted among students and teachers.
- Seven new treatment centres have been added, for a total of 26 with a capacity of 1,110 beds, and precautionary measures are being reintroduced especially in the Idleb area.[2]
Amnesty International has called to intensify the public health response in Syria to address Covid-19, indicating that there is no strong response to the spread of the pandemic, with only five laboratories to conduct PCR tests.[3]
The Syrian Ministry of Tourism has banned the holding of Christmas and New Year parties for the current year. [4]
Recently, As a result of the large increase in the number of Corona's cases in the destroyed city of Homs, most of the city's hospitals closed their doors to patients, and it apologized for not receiving cases that need care and control, which forced patients to resort to private clinics, and follow-up treatment of any disease at home under the supervision of a doctor and a nurse.[5]
Lebanon: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update No. 32
Reporting period: from 17 to 23 November 2020
Coronavirus cases: 116,476 Deaths: 900 Recovered: 67,667
Highlights
Lebanon is still under lockdown which was initiated from the 17th of September until September 30.
Rumors circulated about the possible extension of the lockdown beyond the September 30 cut-off.
The Minister of Public Health in the caretaker government, Hamad Hassan, confirmed that there is no closure of the airport. He also indicated that the Pfizer vaccine may arrive in Lebanon on February 10.
During this reporting period, Lebanon registered an average of 1672 cases per day.
Dozens of employees at banks have been exposed to the virus, as reported by various sources.
Risks
Violations of the Ministry of Interior Decision No. 1432: promenade on the sea corniche, violations of authorized and single motor vehicle traffic, and violations of commercial establishments and stores that did not adhere to the decision.
Failure to comply with the preventive measures and procedures required in a number of stores and markets (putting on a mask or face mask, sterilizing hands, maintaining a safe distance).
Failure of those in contact with confirmed cases to adhere to home isolation procedures until the results of the laboratory tests are issued.
Preparedness and response
As part of its strategy to increase the capacity of governmental hospitals to cope with Corona virus, the Ministry of Public Health opened a new department for Corona patients at Rafic Hariri University Hospital in the presence of the Minister of Public Health, the hospital director, representatives of international partners, doctors and nurses at the hospital.
The Ministry of Public Health announced that the full closure in its first week did not achieve the desired results and stressed the importance of all sectors adhering to preventive measures and procedures to reduce the number of cases and enable the health sector to increase its capacity to provide beds and treatment for the diseased.
The Ministry of Public Health formed a scientific committee that includes the concerned departments in the Ministry, the Medical Syndicate, the World Health Organization and the World Bank. Its mission is to set the necessary frameworks for receiving the vaccine.
The Ministry of Public Health has launched a special department for receiving and treating Corona patients at Batroun Hospital, and a center for conducting PCR examinations, in the presence of the minister and a number of civil society actors and bodies in the north, the hospital director and a number of doctors, employees and nurses.
[1] Microsoft power MOH, 21 Nov
[2] OCHA, Recent Developments in Northwest Syria Situation Report No.22-As of 18 November
[3] Enab baladi, 19 Nov
[4] Enab baladi, 19 Nov
[5] Enab baladi, 22 Nov