Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) WHO Update 28

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report 28

occupied Palestinian territory, issued 7 May 2020

Information for period: 5 March – 7 May 2020

Highlights

The PA Government extended the state of emergency until 5 June 2020
A total of 547 COVID-19 cases in oPt: 527 in West Bank (including 172 in East Jerusalem) and 20 in Gaza Strip
Three new cases confirmed in Gaza on 6 May 2020, first cases reported since 21 April.

WHO Preparedness, readiness and response

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

The Health cluster meeting took place on 5 May 2020 co-chaired by the Ministry of Health and WHO. The meeting focused on the operational challenges faced by the partners, particularly local NGOs in Gaza, needs and constraints of East Jerusalem Hospitals as well as the need to ensure continuing essential primary health care services, particularly sexual and reproductive health, mental health and psychosocial support.

Surveillance

The total number of cases in oPt is 547, including 527 cases in the West Bank and 20 in the Gaza Strip. In the West Bank, most cases are from East Jerusalem (172), Jerusalem Governorate (140), followed by Ramallah (77), Bethlehem (59) and Hebron (60). 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 222 cases have recovered: 210 in West Bank, including 48 in East Jerusalem) and 12 in Gaza and four people have died in the oPt: case fatality rate (CFR) is 0.73%
About two-thirds (65%) of all confirmed cases are male (246 cases) and about 82% of all cases (308 cases) are below the age of 50 years in the oPt, excluding East Jerusalem.

Laboratory diagnostics

A total of 34,511 laboratory samples have been tested for COVID-19 in the oPt according to the MoH
In the Gaza Strip, health authorities are continuing to appeal for support to procure additional lab testing kits. A total of 6,832 samples have been tested, including some outside of Gaza
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.

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

According to the MoH, more than 15,286 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, three new cases confirmed in Gaza on 6 May, the first new cases reported since 21 April
12 people have recovered from COVID-19, out of which nine were discharged home and three were moved to quarantine facilities at Rafah crossing. Eight active confirmed cases remain in isolation at Rafah crossing field hospital
More than 511 people are in one of the 12 operational quarantine facilities which include designated 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
Local health authorities have announced some preventive occupational health and safety measures to be applied by workers and the general public, in businesses, institutions and public facilities and are urging citizens of the Gaza Strip to adhere to the instructions of infection prevention and control, and physical distancing
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 and UK aid.

East Jerusalem

As of May 6, 2020 (14:30), the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Health reported 172 COVID-19 cases in East Jerusalem with new cases from Al- Tur. Two deaths have been reported (CFR- 1.16%) and 48 recovered in the same period
Despite donor pledges, the EJHN hospitals are still in need of medical supplies and equipment to be fully prepared to receive COVID-19 patients. Global shortages also contribute to the shortage in ventilators; currently there are a total of 22 ventilators at AVH, St Joseph and Makassed Hospital, meeting only 10% of needs according to AVH
In supporting the response to the COVID-19 crisis, WHO is coordinating with the EJHN to address the health needs of Palestinians in East Jerusalem, focusing on provision of technical guidance, risk communication and community engagement to disseminate public health advice for prevention of COVID-19 and advocacy with donors to fund the priority needs.

Risk Communications and Community Engagement

This video provides healthy eating advice for Ramadan as part of the COVID-19 Risk Communications and Engagement Campaign

A social media card warning of the dangers of using disinfectant incorrectly.

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 30+ partners focused on eating healthy, keeping physical distance, travelling and studying safely
If you’d like access to join this campaign, get in touch with WHO Communications Specialist Alice Plate: platea@who.int

WHO COVID-19 Dashboard for oPt

Click on our revised COVID-19 dashboard to access comprehensive and interactive insights about the epidemiology and response to COVID-19 in the oPt.

More local information

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) WHO Update 28

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) WHO Update 28

Highlights

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