Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) WHO Update 11 oPt, March 20, 2020

occupied Palestinian territory, March 20, 2020

• On 20 March the Ministry of Health (MoH) confirmed one new COVID-19 case, a Palestinian from Salfit governorate arriving from Pakistan. The person is in isolation at Hugo Chavez Hospital near Ramallah and is asymptomatic
• On 19 March, the MoH confirmed 3 cases, two travelled to West Bank through Allenby Bridge coming from France and have been isolated in Hugo Chavez Hospital, and one further case, who is from Nablus, traveling from Egypt. He is in isolation in Jericho Military Academy Isolation unit, contact tracing has been initiated
• The total number of confirmed cases is now 48
• Most confirmed cases are asymptomatic and are being isolated in a Bethlehem hotel, in a converted drug rehabilitation facility in Bethlehem and in Jericho academy isolation (hospital), as well as at Hugo Chavez Hospital
• Infection prevention and control protocols are implemented as per WHO guidelines for all newly confirmed cases. Investigations and contact tracing continue
• Today, the MoH announced that 14 COVID-19 cases who were confirmed on 05 March have now recovered and have been discharged from isolation following two negative COVID-19 tests. An additional three cases who previously received confirmation on 06 March, now tested negative and await the final confirmation test
• In Gaza, 79 suspected COVID-19 cases have been tested, all with negative results, according to the Gaza health authorities
• Those coming from crossings at Rafah or Erez have been quarantined since March 15. A total of 1,198 people (who are asymptomatic) are in quarantine either at Rafah border quarantine or at health facilities or schools designated as quarantine facilities. Travel is only possible for urgent humanitarian reasons and is subject to approval. Schools are closed till the end of March and measures will be reviewed weekly by authorities
• UNICEF and WHO jointly developed a risk communications and engagement plan to support the Ministry of Health to share health advice, mobilize the community and combat rumours and misinformation. Working with a communications taskforce (including the MoH and private sector), the agencies have launched a new COVID-19 campaign to share critical and responsive health information across radio, TV, social media and mobile networks. To get involved and help disseminate health information contact Alice Plate: platea@who.int
• The UN Resident Coordinator supported by WHO and partners held another donor briefing on 18 March 2020 and informed the donor community of required resources to support the government’s efforts and to address identified priority medical supply and equipment gaps. The plan outlines immediate priority COVID-19 response actions developed by WHO and Health Cluster partners to support containment and to address immediate health system gaps
• WHO urges the public to obtain the latest information on COVID-19 from key sources such as MoH (dashboard) and WHO (see Twitter, Facebook and oPt website), and follow and promote the recommended basic preventive and protective measures.

*Information provided by Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health on March 20 at 11:00 (GMT + 2)

WHO is continuing to work with partners to support Ministry of Health’s (MoH) efforts to respond to the COVID-19 situation in oPt.

WHO coordinated the preparation of an inter-agency COVID-19 response plan for the oPt with a list of priority actions for the next three months. The plan asks for an initial $6.5 million to cover the immediate needs to contain the outbreak.

The MOH have implemented effective measures to ensure early detection and case management of any suspected COVID-19 case and so far have ensured that:

• In the West Bank, quarantine and treatment facilities and emergency committees are being established in key governorates
• the Ministry of Health has developed a new COVID-19 dashboard (in Arabic) to track cases: https://www.corona.ps/
• A central operations room has been established at Prime Minister’s office to coordinate activities, including contacts with media
• laboratory capacities of the MoH in Ramallah have been scaled up
• Point of entry checks for incoming travelers are being conducted and isolation wards in health facilities have been established
• health workers are equipped and trained in the appropriate infection prevention and control measures and case management of potential COVID-19 case across the oPt
• the general public continues to be regularly updated, including advice on how to protect themselves
• preparedness is also progressing in Gaza but there are substantial capacity gaps to be addressed.

Preparedness has also been progressing in the Gaza Strip:

WHO has recently supported the delivery of lab testing kits, personal protective equipment and goggles to support the response to COVID-19.

The national COVID19 committee met to discuss further measures and has supported:

• the establishment of a Field Hospital at the Rafah Crossing featuring a 38-bed treatment facility with 6 intensive care unit beds and 30 for moderate cases. The quarantine area includes 50 rooms for quarantined travelers
• Gaza European Hospital to be designated to absorb and treat additional cases once the capacity of the field hospital would get exhausted
• the establishment of a medical check point at Erez Crossing.

Substantial capacity gaps still need to be addressed including the procurement of essential medical supplies and equipment (including lab testing kits).

Situation in Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO):