MECC Coronavirus (COVID 19) Weekly Report
SYRIA: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update No. 29
Reporting period: from 5 to 11 October
Coronavirus cases: 4718 Active cases: 3198 Recovered: 1296 Deaths: 224 [1]
Highlights
In GoS-controlled areas of the country,(as of 11 October), the Syrian Ministry of Health (MoH) reported 4718 Laboratory-confirmed cases, 224 fatalities, and 1296 Recoveries. More than 92 % of announced cases to date have not been linked to exposure/contact with a known case – point to widespread community transmission.
In NWS (as of 1 October), a total of 1,072 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported (401 from Idleb and 671 from Aleppo governorate), including 6 medically confirmed deaths (Case Fatality Rate: 0.6 %). A total of 526 (49 %) of the cases have already recovered. Among the cases, 629 were males and 443 were females. Of all cases, 172 (16 %) are Healthcare workers (HCWs).
In NES (as of 6 October) 1,998 reported cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed. Of these, there were 1,424 active cases, 503 recovered cases and 71 deaths. The majority of newly confirmed cases has been concentrated in Al-Hasakeh, with 423 newly confirmed cases in the past two weeks (a 53 % increase) (as of 30 September), the upward trend of increased transmission in other areas has also continued. In Ar-Raqqa District, 129 new cases over the same period (a 211 % increase) have been reported, while the first cases have also recorded in Menbij.
Humanitarian actors continue to receive reports that HCWs in some areas do not have sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE).[2]
Preparedness and response
In the reporting period, UNFPA reached 7,874 people on awareness raising, including through mobile teams, in clinics, and in women and girls’ safe spaces, and distributed relevant IEC materials.
Over the reporting period, WHO supported a workshop for health workers on updated findings and recommended standards in the context of COVID-19. With the reopening of schools, UNICEF within the reporting period, focused support on awareness raising in schools in 14 governorates, including distribution of 110,671 IEC materials promoting handwashing and physical distancing. A partner reported a training-of-trainers in Rural Damascus and Aleppo and is preparing rollout of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials specifically targeting returnee communities. In Aleppo Governorate, a partner worked to raise awareness through mobile teams, home visits and at their charity centers.[3]
In NES, Over the reporting period, at the Al-Hol IDP camp, a community rapid assessment exercise commenced, led by UNICEF with WHO, with 2,500 questionnaires collected so far. in addition to ongoing support to 55 community volunteers working with the RCCE working group. Over the reporting period, the volunteers reached 2,400 families with tent-to-tent visits.
In NWS, additional supplies for more than 9,000 PCR tests supported by WHO and Health Cluster partners were delivered to NWS. WHO Gaziantep received regional approval for procuring 70,000 PCR and isolation kits, as well as 6,700 universal transport media and swabs.
Over the reporting period, WHO supported printing of posters with the updated case definition to distribute to health facilities. Within Syria, relevant stakeholders agreed to collect samples through 112 RRTs for referral to the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) in Damascus for testing.
WHO delivered a further 30,000 face shields to be prioritized for hospitals responding to COVID-19.
During the reporting period, in addition to water trucking to targeted beneficiaries in East Ghouta, and support emergency water trucking to Al-Hol camp and Al-Hasakeh city (both averaging 600m3 per day), UNICEF continued operation and maintenance of WASH infrastructure (including the provision of sodium hypochlorite for water disinfection) across the country.
One partner continued water trucking for safe drinking water in 11 villages in Eastern Ghouta. UNDP also continues to support rehabilitation of seven pumping stations and 26 wells and the provision of dosing pumps to ensure water quality in Al-Hasakeh Governorate.
UNRWA continued to support essential WASH services to Palestine refugees in 10 accessible camps (and three informal camps), including maintenance of the existing sewerage and water supply networks and solid waste management. Sterilization of installations also continued, as did distribution of PPE to 125 sanitation laborers as a priority.
UN Habitat continues to implement solid waste management projects in Homs and Hama, and in the reporting period conducted two hygiene awareness sessions.
Over the reporting period, WHO supported the training of 100 healthcare workers on case management in Rural Damascus, Quneitra and Tartous, including on immediate life support and ventilator management. In addition, WHO continued training for midwives, supporting an additional capacity building training for 30 midwives in Lattakia.
In NES, there are 23 planned isolation centres for moderate-severe and critical cases, with nine currently partially operational (four in Al-Hasakeh, four in Ar-Raqqa and one in Kobane). When completed the total capacity will be 844 beds for moderate-severe cases (372 currently active) and 121 for Intensive Care Unit (59 currently active). There are tentative plans to establish at least three further facilities, including a 120 bed isolation hospital in Washokani. In Ar-Raqqa, an NGO has completed an isolation ward at the National Hospital and NGO-supported facilities in Tabqa, Ar-Raqqa and Malakiyeh are active, with facilities in Ein Issa, Deir-Ez-Zor, Kobane and Menbij likely to be online during first half of October. Across NES there are at least 10 specially equipped ambulances available to support COVID-19 related referrals.
In NWS, WHO has completed a total of 32 training sessions on psychological first aid (PFA) on COVID-19 and Self Care between August and September 2020, reaching 300 frontline workers at the COVID-19 Community-Based Treatment Centers (CCTCs) and isolation hospitals. The next phase, the peer-to-peer support and coaching, is currently being done for the 300 frontline workers who have completed the PFA training.
Lebanon: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update No. 26
Reporting period: from 6 to 12 October 2020
Coronavirus cases: 53,568 Deaths: 459 Recovered: 23,501
Highlights
During this reporting period, Lebanon registered an average of 1284 new cases per day.
It has been reported during this period, some members of municipalities and politicians have been infected with the virus.[1]
The Ministry of Public Health announced that the health situation in Lebanon has become at the height of the second phase of the outbreak of the epidemic, as the occupancy rate of intensive care beds has reached about 70%, noting that the Ministry has started the phase of preparing more intensive care beds in government hospitals.
The Lebanese Pharmaceutical Importers suspended the decision of halting the delivery of medical supplies.
More than 100 towns have been put under lockdown.
Key Challenges
The rate of infection in Lebanon is one hundred twenty (120) per 100,000 people per week, and this percentage is considered the peak in the registration of injuries.
The mortality rate has reached its peak in recent times, at one-point-two percent (1.2%).
The lack of ability to achieve success in implementing the decision to close the towns and villages in which the epidemic is spreading, which is considered the last opportunity for Lebanon to confront the epidemic.
The absence of a plan to raise the level of preparedness of hospitals that were greatly affected by the disaster of the Beirut Port explosion.
Preparedness and response
The Minister of Public Health in the caretaker government, Dr. Hamad Hassan, held a meeting at the ministry, with two MPs, Bilal Abdullah and a delegation from Seblin Governmental Hospital, to discuss the procedures undertaken by hospitals to provide more health care corona patients.
The Minister of Public Health in the caretaker government, Dr. Hamad Hassan announced a plan to increase the number of beds in the governmental hospitals during a meeting.
The Minister of Public Health in the caretaker government, Dr. Hamad Hassan, discussed with the head of the Human Rights Committee, Representative Michel Moussa, about prison conditions after the increase in Coronavirus infections among prisoners.
The Minister of Public Health in the caretaker government, Dr. Hamad Hassan, received a Russian delegation that included officials in the pharmaceutical sector. Both parties discussed Lebanon receiving the vaccine once the WHO approves of it.
[1] Microsoft power MOH, 11 OCT
[2] OCHA – WHO, SYRIA COVID-19 Response Update No.11
[3] OCHA – WHO, SYRIA COVID-19 Response Update No.11
[4] LBC, Oct 11, 2020, https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/d/corona-virus/552647