MECC Coronavirus (COVID 19) Weekly Report
SYRIA: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update No. 27
Reporting period: from 21 to 27 September 2020
Coronavirus cases: 4072 Active cases: 2818 Recovered: 1062 Deaths: 192[1]
Highlights
As of 27 September, the Syrian Ministry of Health (MoH) reported 4072 laboratory-confirmed cases,1062 recoveries and 192 deaths.
In northeast Syria (NES), the number of confirmed cases continues to rise, with 1,121 cases confirmed as of 18 September, including 328 recoveries and 52 deaths.
165 of the 1,121 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in NES were recorded amongst health workers. Of these, 66 (40 per cent of cases among health workers) were recorded in Hassakeh District. The actual number of COVID-19 cases in NES is likely significantly higher due to significant gaps in detection and testing capacity.
In northwest Syria (NWS), a major focus has been on curbing transmission among health care workers (HCWs), as over 35 per cent (25) of cases are among health care workers (HCWs).
In NWS, as of 12 September, 213 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported (69 from Idleb and 144 from Aleppo governorate), including three deaths (Case Fatality Rate: 1.4 per cent).
143 healthcare workers have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Syrian MoH; an increase of 53 since the last report. This includes 59 in Damascus, 30 in Lattakia, 14 in Rural Damascus, nine in Aleppo, six in Quneitra, six in Tartous, seven in Hama, six in Dar’a, three in Al-Hasakeh, two in As-Sweida and one in Homs. Eleven HCWs are reported to have died.
All border crossing points remain closed as a precautionary measure. Humanitarian personnel and medical cases are reportedly exempt.
The Al-Bukamal-Al Quaem crossing is reportedly open for commercial and military movements, while the Ras al-Ain border crossing remains closed except in limited circumstances. Tabqa crossing point is reported as currently open to commercial and humanitarian cargo.
Jordanian authorities decided on Sunday 27 September, to reopen the "Jaber-Nassib" border crossing with Syria to cargo movements only, that after a closure that lasted for more than a month due to the increase in Corona virus infections.
The Syrian Ministry of Health has issued new procedures for departure and arrival through airports and border crossings, the most important procedures are:
- When leaving a country, the departure must register on the Ministry of Health’s online platform to book an appointment to take the “pcr” test, In one of the approved centers mentioned on the platform.
- As for the arrival instructions, the instructions allowed entry into the Syrian territories, provided that the incoming traveler was accompanied, as a result of a negative “pcr” examination, which had not been more than 96 hours, maximum.[2]
Preparedness and response
Over the reporting period, new Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) -supported radio spots highlighting key preventive measures commenced broadcasting on 10 public and private stations. While cumulative RCCE efforts to date have reached an estimated 15 million people. a considerable lack of adherence to individual preventive measures has been observed in some communities.
During the reporting period, 32 focal points from camp administration/management, local community and INGOs were trained on RCCE. At the Al-Hol camp, WASH sector partners continue hygiene promotion focusing on COVID-19 utilizing 20 community workers and initiated a community rapid assessment exercise. During the reporting period, at the Areesha camp partners launched a joint campaign utilizing 55 volunteers trained on COVID-19 messages and community engagement.
To date, 432 rapid response team (RRT) personnel in 13 governorates have received dedicated training, including refresher training on COVID-19 case investigation, sample collection and referral.[3]
In NES, 13 RRTs are active in Al-Hasakeh, two in Ar-Raqqa and four in Deir-Ez-Zor, while there are three in Menbij and two in Kobane. Over the reporting period, more than 2,000 suspected COVID-19 cases and contacts were investigated within 24 hours of an alert being received.
During the reporting period, WHO participated in a joint assessment of Ibn Al Nafis Hospital in Damascus to follow up on timely reporting of suspected cases and assess capacity for testing for COVID-19 within the hospital laboratory
In NES, local authorities have an estimated 27,000 to 31,000 COVID-19 PCR tests in stock, equivalent to between 540 and 620 testing kits (each with 50 tests). In addition, at least two partners are planning to procure additional PCR testing kits,with one of these partners having received approval to move ahead with the procurement of between 200-400 kits (10,000-20,000 tests).
In NES, local health authorities issued a formal directive to all local health authorities (LHA)/Committees on Health(CoH) stipulating basic measures which should be taken by all health stakeholders to limit the transmission of COVID-19 among health workers and at health facilities.
Within the reporting period, WHO delivered a further 119,502 items of PPE to be distributed in isolation centres, hospitals, and primary health care centres and laboratories.
In NWS, during this reporting period, WHO has distributed PPE and IPC materials to 120 health facilities operated by 17 NGOs. WHO also distributed surgical masks for 1,600 community health workers for four weeks.
A total of 2.5 million surgical masks will be distributed to the public and an assessment is ongoing. The COVID-19 TF will coordinate the distribution of 500,000 surgical masks, 1,000 gowns (protective suits), and 6,500 face shields from one NGO partner. More than 16 million PPE items, including masks, gloves, goggles and face shields were shipped into NWS for humanitarian staff, benefiting more than 80 humanitarian organizations.
On-site training for 34 laboratory technicians was also completed, including for those working at regional laboratories.
Both WHO and the Syrian MoH are reportedly facing challenges to obtain some specific supplies, largely due to limited market availability and transportation. WHO continues to work with MoH to ensure availability of needed supplies.
A number of recurrent gaps and challenges are reported across multiple areas with regards COVID-19 case management capacity. These include:
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Capacity: There are concerns over the lack of ICU capacity i.e. specialized/ dedicated ICU staff. Many ICU units do not even have a specialist ICU doctor.
- Lack of contingency planning: Although there are significant gaps in case management capacity, these gaps are more acute in some places than others.
- Low levels of hospitalization: this low level of hospitalization seems to be due to a number of factors, including the reluctance of some people to go to hospital, the tendency to send suspect cases home (even if severe symptoms or at high risk of deterioration due to the presence of comorbidities), and inadequate assessment of severity.
- Individual isolation spaces: COVID-19 isolation facilities should also be equipped to treat suspect cases with more severe symptoms. The installation of individual isolation units is therefore critical.
- Training and staff capacity: There is a need to establish dedicated training plans to bolster clinical care capacity, particularly for severe and critical cases.
- Staffing: acute shortages in staffing continue to create challenges in activating COVID-19 facilities and contribute to cross-contamination between health facilities. It is imperative that staff working in COVID facilities do not also work in non-COVID facilities to reduce this risk of contamination.[4]
Lebanon: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update No. 24
Reporting period: from 22 to 28 September, 2020
Coronavirus cases: 24,310 Deaths: 241 Recovered: 8,334
Highlights
During this reporting period, Lebanon registered a new record of 1280 new cases per day.
During this reporting period, 1042 new cases per day was the daily average.
Despite the dangerous increase of new cases per day and the fact that there are barely any hospital beds available for corona patients, the government is refusing to re-impose a lockdown for economic purposes.
Updated Measures
The General Directorate of Civil Aviation at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport issued Circular No. 52/2 on September 21, 2020 to all airlines and ground services companies operating at Rafic Hariri International Airport regarding procedures related to passengers arriving in Lebanon starting from September 23, 2020.
The Ministry of Interior and Municipalities issued Decision No. 1129 of 9/17/2020 regarding amending the opening and closing times of industrial and commercial establishments.
The Committee for Follow-up of Preventive Measures and Procedures for Coronavirus on 9/21/2020 recommended that Syndicate of Private Hospitals and Doctors in Beirut and the North and the Syndicate of Nurses and Nurses in Lebanon set up an emergency line for each of them and put it at the disposal of health sector workers to report any problem or complaint related to the non-application or misapplication of the protocol for containing risks within health and hospital institutions.
In light of the increase in the percentage of positive cases, the Follow-up Committee on Preventive Measures and Procedures to Confront the Coronavirus in its meeting held on 9/24/2020, recommended the postponement of the attendance of students of educational institutions for a period of 14 days.
Preparedness and response
The Lebanese Red Cross released a report confirming that it has deployed during the reporting period, 35 new ambulance centers ready to respond.
The General directorate of state security reported the closure of the South Lebanon Water Authority in Saray Bint Jbeil until September 28, 2020, after it was proven that the employees were injured to conduct checks for all employees and sterilize the center.
The Mount Lebanon Governor issued a decision to completely isolate the town of Aramoun in the Aley district, due to the increase in the number of cases in it.
The Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) in Lebanon dispatched 19,700 food baskets and 1,000 family hygiene kits have been distributed at Wavel (Beqaa), Ein El-Hilweh and Mieh ou Mieh (Sidon), Nahr El-Bared, Baalbek, and Burj Barajneh, thus sending the overall number of beneficiaries at the Palestinian camps to 98,500.
The Minister of Public Health in the caretaker government, Dr. Hamad Hassan, received MP Hassan Ezzeddine in the ministry’s building, and discussed with him the epidemiological situation in Tire, in addition to equipping the Qana Governmental Hospital to receive coronavirus patients, and following up all the hospital’s needs and medical requirements.
In response to high number of corona cases and shortage of beds, the Minister Dr. Hamad Hassan assured the Lebanese that they doing their best to provide more beds.
An awareness raising event was launched by the Municipality of Bchareh to overcome the pandemic.
[1] Microsoft power MOH, 27 Sep
[2] Facebook, MOH, 27 Sep
[3] OCHA-WHO, SYRIA COVID-19 Response Update No.10As of 23 September 2020
[4] OCHA-WHO, SYRIA COVID-19 Response Update No.10As of 23 September 2020