Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) WHO Update 25

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Update 25

Information for period: 5 March -26 April 2020

Highlights

• A total of 342 COVID-19 cases in oPt including 325 in West Bank and 17 in Gaza Strip
• A total of 153 cases and two deaths have been confirmed in East Jerusalem by the Palestinian Authority’s MoH
• The Inter-Agency COVID-19 response Plan was updated and released by the HCT
• WHO delivers lab testing kits and essential medical supplies to Gaza Strip

Two deliveries with lab testing kits and medical supplies arrive in Gaza

WHO delivered lab testing kits to support the COVID-19 testing of 480 people in the Gaza Strip (on April 24). Pictured is acting head of our Gaza sub-office Abdelnaser Soboh  delivering the kits to staff at the central lab in Gaza. 

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

Coordination Planning and Monitoring

• On 25 April 2020, the Humanitarian Country Team released the Revised inter-agency COVID-19 Response Plan. Humanitarian partners in oPt, including UN agencies, UNRWA and civil society organisations estimate that US $41.9 million would be needed until end of June 2020, including $19.1 million for health and nutrition. The plan addresses immediate needs in support of the Palestinian Authority’s COVID-19 Response Plan.

Surveillance

• The total number of cases in oPt is 342, including 325 cases in the West Bank and 17 in the Gaza Strip. In the West Bank, most cases are from Jerusalem Governorate (139), followed by Ramallah (68), Bethlehem (58) and Hebron (41). In the Gaza Strip, all confirmed cases are from Gaza City. A total of 11 health workers are among those confirmed cases
• To-date, the Ministry of Health (MoH) reported a total of 83 cases have recovered (73 in West Bank and 10 in Gaza) and two people have died in the oPt: case fatality rate (CFR) is 0.58%
• About two-thirds (65%) of all confirmed cases are male (225 cases) and about 81% of all cases (280 cases) are below the age of 50 years.

Laboratory diagnostics

• A total of 27,800 laboratory samples have been tested for novel coronavirus in the oPt according to the MoH
• WHO delivered lab testing kits to support the COVID-19 testing of 480 people in the Gaza Strip on April 24. With a global and local shortage of lab supplies and other medical equipment, large quantities of essential items are challenging to procure but WHO is working to try and address this to support oPt’s COVID-19 response.
• In the Gaza Strip, health authorities are continuing to appeal for support to procure additional lab testing kits. A total of 4,410 samples have been tested, including some outside of Gaza

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Isolation and Case Management and Operations support and logistics

• According to the MoH, more than 12,880 Palestinians are in quarantine (home or facility-based) for monitoring of their symptoms and ensuring early detection of cases
• During the Holy Month of Ramadan, the Palestinian Authority has imposed daily movement restrictions from 19.00 until early in the morning
• In the Gaza Strip, ten people have recovered from COVID-19 and moved to quarantine facilities at Rafah crossing, while seven confirmed cases remain in isolation at Rafah crossing field hospital
• More than 1,971 people are in one of the 28 designated quarantine facilities which include primary health facilities, schools or hotels
• Despite the low number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Gaza Strip, WHO is encouraging people in Gaza to maintain the recommended measures to keep families safe from COVID-19 and to prevent its spread including physical distancing and personal hygiene measures
• In Gaza, WHO delivered 2,500 litres of alcogel and 1,000 bottles of antiseptic supplied to local health authorities on 20 April
• WHO and UNICEF continue to scale up procurement efforts to mobilize life-saving essential Intensive Care Unit and ventilator equipment through global supply mechanisms.
• More essential supplies are on the way for West Bank and Gaza, with thanks to support from multiple donors including the oPt Humanitarian Fund

Risk Communications and Community Engagement 

Two of the many social media cards focused on Ramadan being shared as part of the COVID-19 Risk Communications and Community Engagement campaign during Ramadan

• In the holy month of Ramadan, from late April to late May, the COVID-19 Risk Communications and Community Engagement (RCCE) Campaign, led by WHO and UNICEF is focused on messaging to help contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• Targetted messages are being shared across multiple channels via the UN and 20+ partners focused on eating healthy, keeping physical distance, and making staying at staying home fun and psychological support.
• In addition, WHO is releasing guidance to highlight to both civil and religious authorities and, in general, those who are part of the decision-making process relative to Ramadan arrangements key considerations and measures concerning the traditional religious practices observed in the holy month of Ramadan, in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
• If you’d like access to this campaign, get in touch with WHO Communications Specialist Alice Plate: platea@who.int

• COVID-19 Revised Response Plan
• ​UN’s COVID-19 Emergency Situation Reports and information