MECC Coronavirus (COVID 19) Weekly Report
SYRIA: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update No. 16
Reporting period: from 7 to 14 July 2020
Coronavirus cases: 439 Deaths: 21 Recovered: 138[1]
Highlights
As of 14 July, the Syrian Ministry of Health (MoH) confirmed 439 cases of COVID-19, including 21 deaths and 138 recoveries. six cases have been reported by local authorities in north-east Syria (NES), while to date four cases has been registered in north-west Syria (NWS).
The total number of governorates affected is now eight – Damascus, Rural Damascus, Dar’a, As-Sweida, Homs, Lattakia, Hama and Quneitra, although 85 per cent of all cases have been recorded in just two governorates – Damascus (53 per cent) and Rural Damascus (34 per cent).
Based on information currently available, 92 % of cases are related to contact with confirmed cases and travel. 52 % of confirmed cases are among men and 48 % among women. To date, at least 22 health care workers have been infected with COVID-19.
Reported figures represent a sharp increase over the past month and underline why the Syrian population continues to be considered at high risk, particularly when combined with relatively low levels of testing, recent relaxation of precautionary measures, the accelerating spread of COVID-19 in neighbouring countries, reported infections of several health workers, and the debilitated state of the health system.[2]
The Government of Syria (GoS) continues to maintain a widespread easing of preventive measures.
Lockdowns on Ras al-Ma’ara town in Rural Damascus, and on Jdeidet al-Fadl in Quneitra, remain in place. At the time of writing, a number of public areas in Aleppo also remained closed, Further reports indicate some other recent closures of public buildings due to COVID-19 in various locations, including mosques.[3]
Humanitarian Impact
As a result of socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 and currency depreciation, Surveillance data shows that acute malnutrition rates have increased in IDP and remote areas, reaching between 22-34% .while, Chronic malnutrition is rapidly increasing, with rates at 29% compared to 19% last year at the same time.
Over the past weeks there have been reports of shortages in basic medicines at pharmacies . This has contributed to an increase in prices at medicines and both public and private facilities, already contributing to an increase of admissions at ‘free’ healthcare points, including NGO supported facilities.
A number of traders are reported to be experiencing a notable drop in stock levels, with some commodities not available, including vegetable oil and sugar, due to wholesalers waiting for the stability of the informal exchange rate. Shortages of other essential commodities, such as medicine, have also been reported in recent weeks.
As the economic situation has worsened, some humanitarian partners report that the volatility of the informal exchange rate had forced temporary suspension of local procurement. Some partners also report that redesign of budgets in light of inflation and the exchange rate volatility was being considered, and programme delivery would likely be delayed.
According to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MoSAL),more than 320,000 people registered for the National Campaign for Emergency Social Response for assistance due to work lost as a result of COVID-19 preventive measures.[4]
It is worth noting that on 9 July, the Water Department of Al-Hasakeh city administration declared a state of emergency due to insufficient water provision from Alouk water station. This will directly affect the spread of covid-19.
Preparedness and response
Just over 12,100 tests have been conducted so far across the country, in 6 operational laboratories and 1 testing site.
Testing will need to be further increased to ensure cases can be detected in a timely manner and at scale, meanwhile the daily testing capacity has been raised from 70 to 345 since May.
At the time of writing, partners were supporting facilitation of safe return post-exams and to reduce potential contamination through the administering of pre-departure care packages, including information awareness raising sessions, Personal protective equipment (PPE) and hand sanitizers.[5]
During the reporting period, WHO delivered 9,600 screening tests and 1,921 confirmatory tests and enzyme kits (17,500 preparations) to the Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL). In addition to date, WHO has provided 94 enzyme kits, 177 extraction kits (26,250reactions), 172 screening kits and 15 confirmatory testing kits, 18,000 swabs and viral transport mediumfor sample collection, and five polymerase chain reaction (PCR)machines, in addition to 5,000 waste bags and 21,000 bags for samples, and PPE for laboratory staff.
In the reporting period, WHO delivered more than 29,000 PPE to MoH hospitals and in NES. This included 438 coveralls, 500 N95 masks, 1,300 medical masks, 14,950 gloves, 470 gowns, 90 goggles, 439 coveralls and 2,980 alcohol hand rubs.
UNFPA also provided PPE to partners in the reporting period, including 500,000 medical masks, 7,500 boxes of latex gloves,5,000 disposable gloves, 5,000 liters of alcohol. 5,000 hand gels, and 1,000 bottle surface sanitizers, in addition to 130,600 antiseptic soap bars and 15,000 PPE kits to SARC. [6]
As of 14 July, More than 3,600 humanitarian personnel, particularly health care workers, have been trained in infection, prevention and control, and 1,180 health care workers have been trained in case management. Twenty-four (out of 54 planned) isolation centers have been set up at governorate level, equipped with life-saving essentials. The Nutrition cluster has so far reached over 34 organizations with workshops on COVID-19 guidance to adapt nutrition programming.
Issues with the quality of PPE available on the local market is a further constraining factor, with it currently extremely difficult to source N95 masks, face shields and goggles. Currently, there is also a gap of $1.1 million for PPE.[7]
Funding for the response within Syria remains a major concern; the current gap for case management alone is 90 % (US $6.5 million) of overall requirements, while only 10 % of these supplies (ventilators, oxygenators, intubation etc.) can be procured locally, with local exchange rate fluctuations further complicating the situation.
US$ 384.2 million are required for the multi-sectoral response to COVID-19, to address both immediate health needs and secondary effects of the crisis. These requirements are in addition to the US$ 3.4 billion required for wider humanitarian programming, as established in the 2020 HRP before the COVID-19 crisis.
As of 14 July, US$ 106.8 million have been received to support the COVID-19 response, covering 28 % of total requirements. Most funding has been received by the Health Sector (US$ 32.4 million) and the WASH Sector(US$ 18.6 million).
To date, the following achievements can be highlighted:
o An estimated 12 million people have been reached by television and radio awareness campaigns, and printed information, education and communication (IEC) materials since March, while more than six million people have been reached through social media.
o Active surveillance activity has been taking place across 125 hospitals, 25 active surveillance teams and 115 personnel.
o 111 rapid response teams have been deployed in 13 governorates with 432 personnel trained in COVID-19 surveillance.
o National laboratory testing capacity for COVID-19 diagnosis has been expanded from one location – Damascus – to four (Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, and Lattakia).
o More than 2.5 million PPE items, including surgical masks, gloves, reusable heavy-duty aprons, gowns, headcovers, alcohol hand-rubs, medical masks, goggles and coveralls, and alcohol hand-rubs have been delivered to the MoH, partners and national hospitals, including in Qamishli, Al-Hasakeh, Menbij, Ar-Raqqa and Tabqa.
o Eighteen ambulances have been specially equipped to support COVID-19 related referrals.[8]
Lebanon: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update No. 13
Reporting period: from 8 to 14 July 2020
Coronavirus cases: 2,419 Deaths: 36 Recovered: 1,423
Highlights
During this reporting period, the number of corona cases spiked to over 100 per day.
On the 12th of July, the Lebanese Red Cross transported 131 company employees who had tested positive to a quarantine center.
The Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Hassan, downplayed the sudden spike, claiming that further transmissions existed but were “not big.”[1]
Despite the increase in corona cases, the government the Ministry of Public Health claimed that it is ready for even worse scenarios.[2]
Updated measures
The Ministry of Public Health followed up on the application of Circular No. 2/37 which was issued on 4/7/2020 in coordination with the national COVID committee related to the procedures approved by the ministry for all travelers coming to Lebanon.
Risks
Same risks still persist from report number 9.
Electricity blackouts.
Preparedness and response
The National Committee for the Follow-up and Prevention of Corona Virus announced on 10/7/2020 that the Cultural and Spots Center in Al Marija is an approved center for quarantine. The committee also announced that the Lebanese Canadian Hospital will start welcoming positive cases into its quarantine center next week. The Minister of Public Health, held a meeting with the representative of the World Health Organization Dr. Iman Shankiti to discuss ways furthering cooperation regarding the corona pandemic.
The number of fines issued by The ISF (Internal Security Forces) to those not wearing masks, amounted to 2857.
The Ministry of Public Health received from the Charge d'Affaires of the Brazilian Embassy, Jendera Ferrera dos Santos, a donation of equipment and personal protection worth seventy-five thousand dollars.
The red cross declared via a report it published, that it has conducted so far 29200 PCR tests.
During this reporting period, a team from the ministry conducted 230 PCR tests in in Jeddayel and neighboring towns.
The Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Hassan, continued discussions regarding the loans from the Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank, to prep hospitals to deal with corona.
[1] Worldometers, 15 July 2020
[2] Preparedness and Response to COVID-19, Monitoring Report no.1, Issued 14 July 2020
[3] OCHA, covid-19 Humanitarian update NO.14
[4] Preparedness and Response to COVID-19, Monitoring Report no.1, Issued 14 July 2020
[5] OCHA, covid-19 Humanitarian update NO. 14
[6] OCHA, covid-19 Humanitarian update NO. 14
[7]Preparedness and Response to COVID-19, Monitoring Report no.1, Issued 14 July 2020
[8]Preparedness and Response to COVID-19, Monitoring Report no.1, Issued 14 July 2020
[9] Preparedness and Response to COVID-19, Monitoring Report no.1, Issued 14 July 2020
[10]Arab News, July 12, 2020, https://www.arabnews.com/node/1703726/middle-east
[11] Lebanon 24, July, 12, 2020, https://www.lebanon24.com/news/lebanon/723486/