MECC Coronavirus (COVID 19) Weekly Report
SYRIA: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update No. 25
Reporting period: from 7 to 13 September 2020
Coronavirus cases: 3540 Active cases: 2543 Recovered: 842 Deaths: 155 [1]
As of 13 Sep, the Ministry of Health announced, that the total number of Coronavirus cases registered in Syria has reached 3540 , of which 842 patients have recovered and 155 have passed away.
As of 8 September, of the 6,652 tests carried in Northwest Syria, 138 people have tested positive for COVID-19, 2 deaths associated with COVID-19 were reported while 81 patients have reportedly recovered.
7 isolation hospitals and 11 isolation treatment centres for primary care level management (called COVID-19 Community Treatment Centres, or CCTCs) were active in northwest Syria.[2]
In northeast Syria, Number of people confirmed to have COVID-19: 624 (40 deaths, 158 recovered).
Northeast Syria has the lowest testing rate of any other part of Syria—404 tests per million people as of August 25—and the highest rate of positive results relative to tests performed. Around 30 percent of tests conducted thus far have been positive, According to the WHO, a positive ratio greater than five percent indicates severe under-testing in a population. [3]
At least 200 UN staff have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in Syria, according to a leaked document, as the organization steps up efforts to contain the spread of the disease in the war-torn country.[4]
About 3735521 students from different educational levels in all governorates will be back to 13,280 schools amid fears of a further spread of the Corona virus.[5] while the Ministry of Education issued back to school health protocol in preparation for the start of the new school year aiming to ensure the health and safety of pupils, students and workers in the educational field in light of the precautionary measures to confront the outbreak of the Coronavirus.[6]
UNHCR Syria delivered 200,000 surgical masks to support the two Ministries of Health and Higher Education in their response to Coronavirus pandemic.[7]
UNHCR's partner ( Al Nada charity) distributed Water storage tanks for the people in Wadi Barada, al-Ghazlaniyah, al-Zabadani, Barzeh and al-Maliha regions in Damascus countryside, to help them maintain cleanliness in their homes and address the epidemic.[8]
Lebanon: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update No. 22
Reporting period: from 8 to 14 September 2020
Coronavirus cases: 24,310 Deaths: 241 Recovered: 8,334
Highlights
During this reporting period, the rate of new corona cases per day re-spiked reaching 686 on the 12th of September.[9]
Some of the prisoners at the overpopulated Roumieh prison contracted the pandemic. However, security services report that they have the situation under control.[10]
90 UNIFIL peacekeepers contracted the virus, 88 of which are of the same contingent. [11]
The Ministry of Public Health in the caretaker government, Hamad Hassan, indicated that the new "high number of infections with the Coronavirus" is a natural and expected result after the reopening of the country. Moreover, he claimed that cases are set to increase with the coming of the winter season.
Risks
Failure of those in contact with confirmed cases to adhere to home isolation procedures until the results of the laboratory tests are issued.
Gatherings for social events.
Failure to comply with the preventive measures and procedures required in a number of stores and markets (putting on a muzzle or face mask, sterilizing hands, maintaining a safe distance).
Some nightclubs that violated the General Mobilization Resolution No. 1032/2020, and failed to comply with preventive measures, and the permitted number of customers.
Preparedness and response
The Ministry of Public Health launched a new mobile platform called “Ma3an” to trace new corona cases.
Minister Hamad Hasan received Dr. Maroun Khoury and discussed how impactful the health strategy is on reducing the number of new corona cases.
Minister Hamad Hasan opened a new corona center at the Qana Hospital.
Minister Hamad Hasan inaugurated a new corona division at Bar Elias Hospital.
Cedars Relief, a grassroots diasporic coalition, provided its forth batch of medical aid to hospitals in Beirut.[12]
The Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Lebanon, Przemysław Niesiołowski, visited the Rafik Hariri University Hospital (RHUH) and presented Dr. Firass Abiad with the Polish donation of medical supplies and equipment.
France pledged 8.3 million USD to the Rafik Hariri Hospital to help in fighting corona.
[1] Microsoft power MOH,13 Sep
[2] SYRIA: Recent Developments in Northwest Syria Situation Report No. 20 - As of 9 September 2020
[3] Rojava information center, North & East Syria Coronavirus Update, 06 September
[4] Aljazeera, 7 Sep
[5] Al-Ain news, 13 Sep
[6] SANA, 13 Sep
[7] UNHCR Syria, 13 Sep
[8] UNHCR Syria, 11 Sep
[9]Daily Star, Sept. 13, 2020, mhttps://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2020/Sep-12/511595-lebanon-records-10-coronavirus-deaths-686-new-cases.ashx
[10]Lebanon 24, Sept. 12, 2020, https://www.lebanon24.com/news/lebanon/745364/
[11]Arab News, September 13, 2020, https://www.arabnews.com/node/1733901/middle-east
[12] The 961, Sept 11, 2020, https://www.the961.com/lebanese-americans-medical-aid-hospitals-lebanon/