MECC Coronavirus (COVID 19) Weekly Report
SYRIA: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update No. 10
Reporting period: from May 25 to May 30, 2020
Coronavirus cases: 122 Deaths: 4 Recovered: 43 [1]
Highlights
Number of people confirmed by the Ministry of Health (MoH) to have COVID-19: 122 (4 fatalities, 43 recovered). one case in Dar’a; 87 in Damascus; and 34 in Rural Damascus.
The MoH has also announced 43 recoveries. Of the cases announced to date, 84 cases were imported, including Syrian nationals recently repatriated from Kuwait (47), the UAE (11), Sudan (11), and Russia (5).
As of 26 May, approximately 4,880 COVID-19 tests have been performed in laboratories in Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Lattakia governorates.
Most land borders into Syria remain closed, with some limited exemptions (from Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon) for commercial and relief shipments.
Restrictions remain in place at most other crossing points inside Syria. While Ghazawiyet Afrin and Al-Taihain Aleppo are reported open for commercial traffic; the latter is also reported to be currently open for university students to move into GoS areas, in addition to some medical cases.
In NES, at the time of writing, local authorities had reinstated exemptions for humanitarian goods and personnel at the Fishkabour/Semalka informal border crossing to cross once per week. Humanitarian personnel are currently only allowed to exit, however preliminary authorization has been granted for staff to cross into NES from next week. Tell Abiad border crossing is reported partially open for some commercial and humanitarian shipments. As of 26 May Al-Bukamal-Al Quaem crossing is reported to be closed from the Syrian side. Rasal-Ain border crossing remains closed except in limited circumstances. Between 20 and 27 May the Tabqa crossing point was opened exceptionally for the Eid al-Fitr holiday during which a reported 4,500 people crossed into NES. Rapid diagnostic tests were administered by local authorities –with all reported negative –after which people were allowed to move freely into and within the area.
As of 26 May, mosques and churches can open on all days, including for group prayers, so long as physical distancing is observed.
Universities and institutions are scheduled to reopen on 31 May, and preparations are ongoing for basic education and high school exams in June.
Humanitarian Impact
Although prices and availability of food and basic goods fluctuate, overall significant price increases on daily basis.
The informal exchange rate deteriorated further during the reporting period, weakening to its lowest point on record (over SYP 1850 for 1 USD).
Socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, notably in food security and livelihoods, are likely to exacerbate existing substantial humanitarian needs across the country.
At the time of writing, MoSA announced that one-time disbursements of SYP 100,000 have been initiated to 19,000 people so far, with a further 70,000 currently being verified for a second tranche.
In recent weeks, more humanitarian programmes, including essential health care, have been able to resume following the lifting of some precautionary measures.
Health sector partners report that currently 120 mobile medical units are operational in all governorates
UNRWA is gradually resuming some health services, and has commenced consultations with 751 telemedicine calls in the reporting period (2,320 in total), and door-to-door deliveries of medicines to 8,000 vulnerable patients ongoing, with 901 home visits conducted to date.
In line with authorities’ directives and reopening of Universities and institutions from 31 May, more programming may resume. For example, UNRWA will reopen their five Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers at the end of the month, with necessary preventive measures in place, including PPE procurement. Staff are also updating curriculum to help students catch up on study time lost.
Also in the reporting period, guidelines on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) and wasting simplified protocols in the context of COVID-19 were disseminated in all governorates.
Preparedness and response
Trainings related to awareness raising, as detailed in earlier reports, will also continue. WHO, UNDP and UNICEF are currently awaiting approval to train a further 11,000 volunteers.
Regional outreach is also ongoing. In Hama, WHO-supported teams visited seven shelters for awareness raising and psychosocial support for 250 families, and a further partner conducted awareness raising reaching 7,289 people in Dar’a and Rural Damascus. In addition, the Syrian Society for Social Development (SSSD) reached a further 987 people with awareness raising in the reporting period (2,680 total), including families with specific needs.
To date, 344 RRT personnel in 13 governorates have received dedicated training on COVID-19 case investigation, sample collection and referral, with further trainings scheduled for June.In NES, five RRTs are active in Al-Hasakeh, fivein Ar-Raqqaand fourin Deir-Ez-Zor, while Menbij/Kobane is being covered from Aleppo.
UNRWA have also continued a triage system in their 25 health centers; to date, 10,790 patients at UNRWA facilities with respiratory complaints have been examined following triage care and related protocols; no COVID-19 case has been detected.
During the reporting period, WHO delivered 55 extraction kits (1,375 reactions) and 10 enzyme kits (1,000 reactions) to CPHL. To date, WHO has provided 44enzyme kits (4,400 reactions), 107 extraction kits (4,375reactions), 82 screening kits (7,872 reactions)and 11 confirmatory testing kits (1,056 reactions), 14,000swabs and viral transport medium for sample collection, and five polymerase chain reaction (PCR)machines, in addition to5,000 waste bags and 10,000 bags for samples, and PPE for laboratory staff. WHO has further supplies and equipment in the pipeline expected to arrive in the next one to four months.
On 26 May, WHO delivered 23MT of medical supplies (including wheel chairs, hygiene kits, patient beds and general supplies) to Qamishli by road. Distribution plans will be finalized shortly.
UNICEF continues to support light rehabilitation of WASH systems in hospitals across the country, with works completed in two facilities (including the isolation center in Al-Hol camp), and ongoing in 13other locations. UNICEF is also planning for support to 5,000 exams centers across the country with Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) kits.
Further, UNICEF trained 64 health workers on IPC, conducted health promotion activities on IPC with 387 caregivers, and distributed 8,600 hand sanitizers, 11,700 surgical masks, and 268 N95 masks for partners in six governorates, in addition to 320 family hygiene kits for quarantine centers in Damascus and Rural Damascus.
Further in the reporting period, Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) distributed 2,470 sanitization kits, and Action Against Hunger (AAH) distributed 3,000 hygiene kits in rural Aleppo and 10,000 hygiene kits in Rural Damascus. SSSD also continued sterilization campaigns of public places and facilities in Aleppo and Ar-Raqqa.
To date, humanitarian partners have been informed by local authorities (Governors and Departments of Health) of 32 identified quarantine facilities and14isolation spaces across 13governorates.
WHO continues to deliver case management trainings (resuscitation and ventilation management).To date, 50 health workers were trained in Aleppo and Dar’a, with more planned in Queneitra, Damascus and As-Sweida. UNFPA has also supported its implementing partners for online training in emerging respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, with 547 health care workers enrolled from Damascus, Aleppo, Al-Hasakeh and Hama.
In NES, there are 16 prepared isolation centers for moderate cases, with five currently operational (approximately 319 out of 899 available beds), and a further isolation center still being established.[2]
Lebanon: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update #7
Reporting period: from May 25 to June 2, 2020
Coronavirus cases: 1,119 Deaths: 27 Recovered: 715
Highlights
During the selected period, Lebanon witnessed a dramatic drop in the number of infected per day.
On the 31 of May, the Ministry of Health reported that 16 cases were recorded among the arrivals from Gabon. As for the rest of the cases, they came from Congo.
The Minister of Public Health Dr. Hamad Hassan assured that the rumor which claims that people not wearing face masks will be fined 400,000 LL is not true.
Lebanon recorded 13 new cases among refugees in the village of Majdal Anjar.[3]
Updated measures
The Interior Ministry announced new general mobilization rules thus easing restrictions and allowing establishments to reopen. Moreover, curfew hours have been reduced from 7:00 PM till 5:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight till 5:00 AM.[4]
The Minister of Public Health Dr. Hamad Hassan, claimed that the country can re-instate measures if there was a rise of cases.
The General Security declared that Lebanon will open its borders on the 2nd and 4th of June only for returning Lebanese from Syria.
The President of Rafic Hariri International Airport, Fadi Al-Hassan, confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that "the airport will not open its doors on the eighth of June as scheduled according to the government plan.”
Humanitarian Impact
According to the UNHCR, Lebanon witness a 4% increase of intimate partner violence due to the COVID-19 situation.
In a report published by the UNHCR, 57% of refugees were evicted from their homes due the compounding financial crisis forced by covid-19.
Save the Children published a study in which it revealed that 40% of children aged 15 to 18 years old said that the situation is taking a toll on their mental health.
90% of families that receive financial assistance have diverted spending from education to food.
Preparedness and response
At their own request, UNIFIL Indian peacekeepers donated 23 varieties of medicines to the Shab’a Municipality, as the village dispensary suffered from acute shortage of drugs.
Médecins Sans Frontières began training and assisting vulnerable families in Bar Elias.
According to Asma Kurdahi head of UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) Lebanon, gender-related protection and programs have been increased by the organization.
With the help of the UNHCR, the automatic extractor machine for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in RHUH is now operationalized and has increased the hospital’s testing capacity to 800 tests per day, and 55,000 tests were provided to the MoPH and RHUH, on top of 14,000 tests procured in March.
After the rise of cases in certain areas, the UN and its partners started providing support to, including disinfecting various entities, including buildings and shops in the neighborhood, conducting awareness sessions, and providing guidance and equipment.
The UN completed training of Rapid Response teams to respond to detected clusters of COVID-19, specifically in informal settlements and collective shelters.
The UN is currently procuring in-kind food parcels to be distributed to 50,000 Lebanese families as part of its emergency food assistance, which should be available for distribution in June.
The UN and its partners started conducting awareness sessions on precautionary measure at workplace to ensure a safe return to the office.[5]
A team from the Ministry of Public Health collected 83 Samples from the Palace of Justice, Baalbeck.
The Minister of Public Health Dr. Hamad Hassan, opened a new department for receiving corona epidemic at the Hermel Governmental Hospital, and handed it new ventilators sent from Qatar, Iran, and Kuwait.
In the presence of the representative of the Ministry of Public Health, Abdallah ana Hajjar, 55 PCR Tests were administered in Iklim Towns.[6]
[1] Worldometers, 19 May
[2] SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC: COVID-19Humanitarian Update No. 11
[3] Daily Star, May 26, 2020, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2020/May-26/506416-thirteen-syrian-refugees-test-positive-for-covid-19.ashx
[4] http://www.interior.gov.lb
[5] OCHA, Reliefwe.net.
[6] https://www.moph.gov.lb