MECC Coronavirus (COVID 19) Weekly Report
SYRIA: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update No. 17
Reporting period: from 14 to 20 July 2020
Coronavirus cases: 496 Deaths: 25 Recovered: 144[1]
Highlights
As of 20 July, the Syrian Ministry of Health (MoH) confirmed 492 cases of COVID-19, including 25 deaths and 144 recoveries.
The first death in medical staff in Syria was reported after the death of a surgeon working at the Syrian Red Crescent Hospital in Damascus. [2]
Many cases continue to be recorded among medical workers (more than 15 in Damascus, one in Aleppo, one in Rural Damascus, 3 in Latakia and one in Sweida).[3]
The MoH data shows that most infections have befallen people between the ages 20 and 69 (77%) with fewer among the elderly (2% over 80) and young children (5% under nine). Slightly more men than women have been recorded infected, 53% to 47%.[4]
The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) announced that six of its volunteers have been infected in Daraa after the first case was recorded in the same governorate last week.
Besides medical workers, the judicial sector is now on alert as well after two judges had tested positive during the past week.
Updated measures
The Health Ministry announced on Saturday 18th of July, that the lockdown on Jdaidet al-Fadl town in Quneitra province was lifted after conducting comprehensive medical swabs to assess the state of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the town, as the results were negative.[5]
Syrian Citizens stuck in Lebanon were permitted to return home through the land borders, provided they have the recent result of a PCR test (not more than 18 hours old) from specified Lebanese hospitals.[6]
The Syrian Ministry of Health called on people to practice COVID-19 preventative measures ahead of parliamentary elections, photos from social receptions by candidates showed neither candidate nor guests wearing masks or practicing social distancing.[7]
The Ministry issued a circular to temporarily suspend clinical studies in all university hospitals for medical students, and to stop the clinical training program for nursing school students.[8]
In north-west Syria (NWS), individual crossings to and from Turkey remain restricted while humanitarian and commercial deliveries are authorized.
The Executive Council of NES Self-Administration has announced a new decree imposing movement restrictions, which entered into force on 13 July, foreseeing the closure of all crossings into NES without exceptions. Humanitarian cases, i.e. people travelling to Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) to seek health treatment and returning to NES are to be quarantined for a period of 14 days, except for humanitarian workers if they undergo quarantine in KRI 48 hours before entering NES.[9]
Preparedness and response
As of 8 May, Some 14780 tests have been conducted by the Laboratories. Out of them, 2143 cases are under follow up procedure.[10]
There are critical gaps in specialized equipment, including for laboratories and beds for the treatment of severe and moderate cases.
In light of market shortages and challenges with local procurement of some COVID-19 supplies, required COVID-19 supplies have been quantified and costed across all operational hubs, with estimated requirements totaling $122 million.
In NWS, at least 2,627 of 2,695 tests conducted in the region where the number of cases of coronavirus is expected to increase and may exceed the capacity of the health system to absorb them due to IDPs' densely populated settlements where tens of thousands of displaced people live in high-density camps and tents making social distancing difficult.
At least seven hospitals in Idlib have suspended non-urgent care to help prevent the spread of the virus. 159 health centres now have COVID-19 triage centres for suspected cases and five community-based isolation centres are operating to allow those who may have the virus to isolate.[11]
Lebanon: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update No. 14
Reporting period: from 15 to 21 July 2020
Coronavirus cases: 2,775 Deaths: 40 Recovered: 1,485
Highlights
During this reporting period, the number of corona cases continued to increase at an alarming rate (Average 76 new cases per day).
On the 20th of July, it was reported that 6 new cases were reported among security services.[12]
The Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Hassan, announced that starting from Monday, July 20, stricter measures will set in place.[13]
During this reporting period, the Ministry of Public Health further increased the number of PCR tests per day in areas the virus was thought to had spread.
Updated measures
The Ministry of Public Health announced that Lebanon has become in a stage that falls in between the third and fourth phases, which projects that the virus is at the level of local outbreak. This requires a full commitment to safety procedures and called for or strict adherence to precautions and preventive measures in large institutions and municipalities. Additionally, all cases that do not have the general safety conditions for isolation at home will be transferred to the approved quarantine centers.
Ministry of Public Works issued Circular No. 42/2 and Circular No. 43/2 on 7/17/2020 related to the amendment of the previous two circulars on the classification of countries that have PCRs approved by the ministry.
Risks
Same risks still persist from report number 9.
Electricity blackouts.
Technical difficulties regarding the Ministry of Health’s Hotline number.
Preparedness and response
On the 18th of July, the Ministry of Public Health conducted 6,238 PCR tests across Lebanon.[14]
The MOPH launched “Ma3an Together Against Corona” mobile application to track contacts of positive cases and reduce the spread of Coronavirus.
The Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Hassan chaired a meeting to activate the measures to counter Corona and to expedite the issuance of the results of passenger checks.
The Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Hassan convened with the Italian Ambassador of Joint Cooperation Programs to discuss future projects he willingness of the Italian government and the Italian Bureau for Development and Cooperation to provide support to the Ministry of Public Health in combating Corona.
The Ministry is currently in development and implementation of a project to strengthen the health system in Lebanon in cooperation with the World Bank. The project will increase the Ministry’s ability to assess the capacity of the health sector in Lebanon to respond to the pandemic, secure the necessary medical equipment and tools, and build the capacity of sector workers to counter the virus.
The Red Cross released a report that it has so far conducted 33825 PCR tests.
Followed up on the safety measures being taken at the Lebanese University during exams period, which began on Monday 20/7/2020. The National Committee for coronavirus, the Ministry of Education Ministry of Public Works Lebanese Red Cross and Higher Education, the Presidency of the Lebanese University and the Ministry of Public Health in cooperation with the Lebanese Red Cross dispatched field teams to supervise the implementation of the procedures to prevent the spread of the virus.
The Lebanese government, the UN, and more than 30 civil society partners launched a joint campaign under the hashtags #COVIDIsNotOver and #StaySAFE to raise awareness of the fact that the number of people infected with COVID-19 in Lebanon is increasing every day.
The UN and partners launched an emergency appeal requesting 482 million USD to respond to the immediate impact of COVID-19.
UNICEF launched a campaign under the title of "How Are you Doing in Corona Times?" was launched, in partnership with the National Mental Health Program and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, to normalize the discussion around youth mental health in such times of uncertainty.
[1] Worldometers, 20 July 2020
[2] Syria direct .org, 19 July
[3] Substack.com, 15 July
[4] Syria in context – coronavirus update No, 14
[5] SANA, 18 July
[6] Syria in context – coronavirus update No, 14
[7] Syria in context – coronavirus update No, 14
[8] Enab baladi, 19 July
[9] Preparedness and Response to COVID-19 Monitoring Report no.1
[10] Microsoft power BI.MOH
[11] Preparedness and Response to COVID-19 Monitoring Report no.1
[12] Lebanon Debate, July 20, 2020, https://www.lebanondebate.com/news/489649
[13] Lebanon 24, July 20, 2020, https://www.lebanon24.com/news/lebanon/725825/
[14] Daily Star, July 18, 2020, mhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2020/Jul-18/509174-lebanon-reports-75-new-coronavirus-infections.ashx