MECC Coronavirus (COVID 19) Weekly Report
SYRIA: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update No. 42
Reporting period: from 4 to 10 Jan 2021
Coronavirus cases: 12274 Active cases: 5553 Recovered: 5953 Deaths: 768 [1]
HIGHLIGHTS
In GoS-controlled areas of the country,(as of 9 January), the Syrian Ministry of Health (MoH) reported 12274 Laboratory-confirmed cases, 768 fatalities, and 5953 Recoveries.
12274 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported by the Syrian MoH : 2294 in Damascus; 1927 in Homs; 1897 in Aleppo; 1385 in Rural Damascus; 1345 in Lattakia; 902 in Dar’a; 883 in Tartous; 760 in Sweida; 568 in; Hama; 222 in Quneitra; 49 in Deir-Ez-Zor; 35 in Al-Hasakeh and 7 in Ar-Raqqa.
Covid-19 continues to claim lives among the medical teams in Syria, as the President of the Doctors Syndicate announced the death of 130 doctors during the last period, 100 of whom were confirmed dead due to their infection with the virus and the rest due to other diseases, but some of them were suspected of being infected with the virus, but it was not diagnosed. Most of those who have died are between 50 and 60 years old.[2]
On 6 Jan, the Governor of Tartous issued a decision to close "cafeterias" and cafes at 7 pm, and close restaurants and fast food stores at 12 pm at night.
He instructed the Tourism Directorate to follow up the implementation of the Ministry of Tourism's circular regarding the follow-up of preventive measures in tourist facilities, and instructed the Health Directorate to conduct a corona examination for cases of stroke by 2 percent of the deceased, with the aim of studying the relationship between the virus and cases of death due to thrombosis.[3]
The Ministry of Tourism circulates to its directorates in the governorates the requirements of the eighth phase of the resumption of work in tourism facilities, which will last from 11/1/2021 until 2/10/2021.
The circular included:
o Commitment to all decisions issued by the government team concerned with combating the spread of the Corona epidemic.
o Intensify monitoring on tourist establishments, including:
- Emphasis on the continuation of prohibiting the introduction of hookahs in tourist facilities.
- Emphasis on the obligations of catering establishments (restaurants - tea rooms - cafes - fast food restaurants) with a maximum occupancy rate of 50%.
- Conference halls and event halls (weddings - sermons) that are tourist-licensed or attached to tourist facilities, with a maximum of 40%.[4]
Lebanon: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update No. 39
Reporting period: from 5 to 11 Jan 2020
Coronavirus cases: 219,296 Deaths: 1,606 Recovered: 142,239
Highlights
A Lebanese cycling policeman fines cyclists riding their bicycles during lockdown through Beirut's seaside promenade on January 10, 2021. Photo credit: Daily Star.
Latest WHO corona-related statistics, Jan 11, 2021. www.who.int
The year began with corona cases surging like never before and reaching a record of 5,440 cases on the 8th of January.
During this reporting period, the average number of cases per day jumped to a significant 4,947.
The decision to severely tightens the restriction already in effect since the 7th of January will come at an emergency meeting at Baabda Palace on the 11th of January called for by President Michel Aoun. It has been rumored that supermarkets and the airport will be closed.
LBC: Hospitals struggle to tend to all corona cases as many are sent back to their homes, January 10, 2021
Several doctors in hospitals turned away corona patients since all beds have occupied. Several health officials claim that Lebanon is in the midst of a catastrophe never seen before.
The head of the Lebanese Medical Association, Sharaf Abu Sharaf, announced that "the rate of Corona infections in Lebanon exceeded 15%, which is a very high percentage that no country in the world has ever recorded."
The Minister of Public Health announced that the scientific committee in the Ministry of Health is heading, in light of the significant increase in the number of cases, to three recommendations that were presented to the Corona Ministerial Committee, namely: a general closure for a period of two weeks, renewable according to the data that are recorded in the field, an emphasis on increasing the number of ICU beds in private hospitals, asking the security services to strictly apply preventive measures and suggesting fines for those who do not adhere to the recommendations and preventing overcrowding while examining and the ability to close some areas if there is no possibility to lock down the whole country.
The Ministry of Public Heath issued a statement insisting that collaboration with municipalities and Heads of Health Departments is needed to limit violations.
During this reporting period, Lebanon registered an average of 2718 new cases per day.
Security services are on high alert as they brace the implementation of a new set of stricter measures, Jan 10, 2021, photo credit: Lebanon 24.
In its meeting held on Wednesday, 12/30/2020, the Follow-up Committee on Preventive Measures and Procedures recommended that the Ministry of Public Health procure a structured report on the evaluation of governmental and private hospitals in terms of readiness, procedures, and medical equipment.
The Minister of Public Health announced that private hospitals have secured about fifty additional ICU beds for Corona patients, and that the Ministry continues to equip governmental hospitals with 296 intensive care beds and has purchased one hundred additional beds with all the required equipment, arriving to Lebanon on the eighteenth of this month. These beds will be placed in emergency governmental hospitals and some private hospitals.
The General Directorate of Civil Aviation issued Circular No. 2/2 dated 1/8/2021 amending Clause No. 5 of Circular No. related to the list of hotels approved by the Ministry of Tourism at reduced prices.
The Minister of Public Health Dr. Hamad Hassan stressed private hospitals should assume their responsibilities and open special sections for Corona patients.
[1] Microsoft power MOH,10 Jan 2021
[2] Syria daily news, 09 Jan
[3] Syria tv, 7 Jan
[4] Ministry of health, Facebook, 10 Jan