MECC Coronavirus (COVID 19) Weekly Report
SYRIA: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update No. 39
Reporting period: from 14 to 20 December 2020
Coronavirus cases: 10195 Active cases: 4799 Recovered: 4786 Deaths: 610[1]
HIGHLIGHTS
The Health Ministry on Sunday 20 Dec, announced that 145 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Syria, adding that 49 patients recovered and 9 others passed away.
In a statement, the ministry noted that the total number of coronavirus infections recorded in Syria has reached up to 10,195, of which 4,786 have recovered and 610 have passed away.[2]
In GoS-controlled areas of the country, 10195 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported by the Syrian MoH as of 19 December. Of these, 7 were in Ar-Raqqa; 32 in Deir-Ez-Zor; 35 in Al-Hasakeh; 141 in Quneitra; 462 in Hama; 608 in Tartous; 679 in As-Sweida;752 in Dar’a; 1051 in Lattakia; 1160 in Rural Damascus; 1566 in Homs; 1671 in Aleppo; 2031 in Damascus.[3]
The Government team concerned with adopting measures to confront corona epidemic decided on 14 December to impose wearing masks for citizens and employees at public institutions, and users of public transportation, customers at markets and bakeries. It also decided to shut tourist facilities and restaurants, which don’t adhere to the preventive measures taken to confront the coronavirus.
The government team asked the Ministry of Health to set controls for the work of private hospitals that receive infections with coronavirus and to activate their role as an essential component in the health sector in terms of dealing with the epidemic.[4]
The country has reached the peak of the second wave of the Coronavirus, at a time when the country is recording the highest rate of coronavirus infections and deaths. Based on the statement of Doctor Nebug Al-Awa, a member of the advisory team to confront Corona.[5]
Lebanon: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update No. 36
Reporting period: from 15 to 21 December 2020
Coronavirus cases: 158,104 Deaths: 1,281 Recovered: 112,333
Highlights
WHO's latest statictistcs regarding the region.
As the Christmas holidays draw near the Ministry of Public Health warned that during this period more cases will be reported per day.
According to the Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee Assem Araji, he expects the arrival of the new strain of Corona virus through the arrivals during the Christmas.
During this reporting period, Lebanon registered an average of 1748 new cases per day.
Updated Measures
The Ministry of Interior and Municipalities issued Decision No. 1611 on 12/20/2020 regarding the extension of work on the content of Resolution No. 1556 regarding amending measures and procedures to confront the Corona epidemic, until five in the morning on Wednesday, December 23, 2020.
Preparedness and response
The Egyptian Ministry of Health sent a third batch of Remdesivir to the Lebanon, upon its urgent request, to help combat the Corona pandemic.
The Ministry of Public Health reported the expected dates for the arrival of Corona vaccines in some Arab countries, as this will be between the end of this December and the beginning of the spring of 2021.’
The Ministry of Health announced that discussions were held with the Union of Mutual Health Funds in Lebanon about scientific and realistic proposals to face the exceptional difficult circumstances in the field of hospitalization and the relationship with hospitals and service providers.
The Minister of Public Health opened a department for treating Corona patients at Othman Hospital in the town of Ketermaya in Al-Kharroub region. It includes 30 beds, including 19 in the intensive care unit.
The Minister of Public Health followed up with the Labor Syndicate, the Insurance Syndicate Council and the Ministry of Economy over the issue of private insurance companies ’coverage of hospitalization contracts for Corona patients.
[1] Worldometers.info
[2] SANA, 21 Dec
[3] App.powerbi.com
[4] SANA, 14 Dec
[5] Damascus voice.com