Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) WHO Update 12, oPt, March 22, 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Update 12

occupied Palestinian territory, March 22, 2020

• On 22 March 2020, the Ministry of Health (MoH) confirmed 6 new cases of
  COVID-19 to WHO: four in the West Bank and two in Gaza Strip. This is in addition to 6 cases confirmed on 21 March. All new cases, except one are asymptomatic and one case has mild symptoms. All new cases under medical observation at designated health facilities. Contact tracing initiated for all cases
• The total cases in all occupied Palestinian territory are now 59, including 57 cases in West Bank and 2 cases in Gaza. MOH have reported a total of 17 cases have recovered
• See map below to confirm where cases originate from
• In the West Bank, the MoH have placed more than 9900 people coming from abroad under the quarantine – both at home and at the designated facilities
• In Gaza, those coming from crossings at Rafah or Erez have been quarantined since March 15 and 1287 people are in quarantine either at Rafah border quarantine or at health facilities or schools designated as quarantine facilities, and 2,071 people are in home quarantine
• On behalf of the United Nations, 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. The plan is supported by a taskforce, which includes the MoH, Bank of Palestine, and the Palestinian International Cooperation Agency. A new COVID-19 campaign has been launched 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 ay WHO: 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 22 at 12:00 (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.

WHO today (22 March) delivered lab testing kits, personal protective equipment to support the response to COVID-19.

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.

The response is ongoing in the Gaza Strip.

WHO is today (March 22) touring quarantine and health facilities in Gaza to further support health authorities preparedness for COVID-19. WHO also today delivered lab testing kits, personal protective equipment 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):