March – 14 May 2020
Highlights
- Only one confirmed case reported in oPt in the past week (since 8 May)
- A total of 548 COVID-19 cases in oPt: 528 in West Bank (including 173 in East Jerusalem) and 20 in Gaza Strip
- WHO delivered more lab testing kits to the Gaza Strip
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).
Below are our latest Key Performance indicators for the response:
Coordination, planning and monitoring
- WHO launched the COVID-19 mobile learning app targeted at health workers. It is available in six languages and provides access to a wealth of WHO COVID-19 knowledge resources, including up-to-the-minute guidance, tools, training, and virtual workshops to support health workers in caring for patients infected by COVID-19 and to protect themselves as they do their critical work. The app is free in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store
- WHO introduced the COVID-19 partners platforms: www.covid-19-response.org. The main objective of this coordination tool is to track the progress of the COVID-19 response globally and in countries and the required and available funding, as well as other COVID-19 indicators’ progress. All partners are encouraged to join the platform.
Surveillance
- The total number of cases in oPt is 548, including 528 cases in the West Bank and 20 in the Gaza Strip. In the West Bank, most cases are from East Jerusalem (173), 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 426 cases have recovered: 412 in West Bank, including 116 in East Jerusalem) and 14 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.
WHO delivered laboratory testing supplies to
local health authorities
o support the testing of 2,200 people for
COVID-19 in the Gaza Strip.
Laboratory diagnostics
- A total of 44,000 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 laboratory testing kits. A total of 7,264 samples have been tested, including some outside of Gaza
- WHO delivered laboratory testing supplies to local health authorities to support the testing of 2,200 people for COVID-19. The delivery was made possible with the generous support of the oPt Humanitarian Fund
- 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 14,510 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, no new cases reported since 6 May, and a total of 14 people have recovered from COVID-19, out of which ten were discharged home and four were moved to quarantine facilities at Rafah crossing. Six active confirmed cases remain in isolation at Rafah crossing field hospital
- More than 1,031 people are in one of the 13 operational quarantine facilities which include designated primary health facilities, schools or hotels
- 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
- WHO supported the Ministry of Health in training 30 community volunteers in refugee camps in the West Bank on infection prevention and control measures that need to be taken in the informal community-based quarantine centres in the camps
- WHO supported its partner MDM-France in organising training, including practical simulation, for 173 staff of five COVID-19 respiratory centres established by the health authorities in Gaza on case definition, patient pathway, IPC including proper use of PPE and stress management. Additionally, 135 members of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Emergency Management Teams (EMT) were trained on COVID-19 case definition and appropriate transportation protocols for suspected/confirmed COVID-19 cases.
East Jerusalem
- As of May 14, 2020 (13:00), the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Health reported 173 COVID-19 cases in East Jerusalem with new case from Al – Thori. Two deaths have been reported (CFR- 1.15%) and 116 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 East Jerusalem Hospital Network (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
Click on the above video to see advice on how to stay stay safe for students taking Tawjihi exams during the COVID-19 pandemic
A social media card warning encouraging people to keep physical distancing.
- 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.
- The latest weekly messages (13-19 May) are being shared across multiple channels via the UN and 30+ partners, see a sample video and social media card above
- If you’d like access to this campaign, get in touch with WHO Communications Specialist Alice Plate: platea@who.int
More local information
Document Type: Situation Report, Update
Document Sources: World Health Organization (WHO)
Subject: Health
Publication Date: 14/05/2020
Document Sources: World Health Organization (WHO)
Subject: Health
Publication Date: 14/05/2020