MECC Coronavirus (COVID 19) Weekly Report

SYRIA: COVID-19

Reporting period: from 28 Dec 2020 to 3 Jan 2021

Coronavirus cases: 11710 Active cases: 5435 Recovered: 5546 Deaths: 729 [1]

The Health Ministry on Sunday 03 Jan, announced that 94 new coronavirus cases were recorded, adding that 61 coronavirus patients recovered and 6 others passed away.[2]
In a statement, the Ministry noted that the total number of the coronavirus cases registered in Syria has reached up to 11,710, of which 5,546 have recovered and 729 have passed away.
11710 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported by the Syrian MoH : 2192 in Damascus; 1837 in Homs; 1832 in Aleppo; 1354 in Rural Damascus; 1256 in Lattakia; 887 in Dar’a; 798 in Tartous; 738 in Sweida; 536 in; Hama; 189 in Quneitra; 49 in Deir-Ez-Zor; 35 in Al-Hasakeh and 7 in Ar-Raqqa.

Reporting period: from 29 Dec 2020 to 4 Jan 2021

Coronavirus cases: 171,226 Deaths: 1,394 Recovered: 122,657

The holidays were a major opportunity for people to gather and make festive parties in accordance with Lebanese tradition. Hence, there came the long lines in front of PCR testing facilities.
Occupancy rate of intensive care units jumped to 90 percent after authorities relax during the holiday season.
Several health professionals such criticized the government for loosening curfew hours.
Sleiman Haroun, head of the Syndicate of Private Hospitals, and George Ketaneh warned that hospitals cannot handle the spike in covid-19 cases as there are barely any beds left.

The head of the Parliamentary Health Committee, Assem Araji claimed that Lebanon has lost control over the corona situation in the country.
January 4 is slated as a day for the government to take a decision whether to impose or not a lockdown. The Parliamentary Health Committee had advised to do so for a period of no less than 3 weeks.
During this reporting period, Lebanon registered an average of 2718 new cases per day.
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 Ministry of Public Health Dr.Hamad Hassan, assured that closure of the airport is out of the question.

The Lebanese Red Cross issued a statement to clarify misconceptions and rumors which stated that it stopped transferring old covid-19 patients to hospitals. It reassured the public that it will continue to deliver its services to all people regardless of age.
The Ministry of Public Health Dr. Hamad Hassan, chaired a meeting health professional observers affiliated with the ministry, during which he presented the directions for the next phase of the challenge. It was decided that efforts will be intensified to curb the infectivity of the pandemic.

[1] Microsoft power MOH, 3 Jan 2021

[2] SANA, 04 Jan