Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) WHO Update 9 oPt, March 16, 2020

• The risk to the oPt remains very high
• On 16 March 2020, as of 11:00 am, the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Health (MoH) confirmed to WHO a total of 39 cases of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). No cases have been reported in Gaza
• 1 new confirmed case was reported on 16 March from Tulkarm and the case has recently returned from a trip to Poland. Three new cases were reported in Bethlehem on 14 March. In addition to the 35 already confirmed cases, this brings the total to 39
• Confirmed COVID-19 cases reported from Bethlehem have developed no symptoms so far. Fourteen cases are in a designated health facility in Bethlehem (a converted drug rehabilitation centre) and the others remain quarantined in a hotel and have not been discharged. A preventive medicine doctor is available on site to ensure adequate case management procedures. Infection prevention and control protocols were implemented as per WHO guidelines. Investigations and contact tracing continue. The Tulkarm patients are asymptomatic and quarantined at home
• In Gaza, more than 100 people are in quarantine either at Rafah border or at schools designated as quarantine facilities. Travel is only possible for urgent humanitarian reasons. Those coming from crossings at Rafah or Erez will be quarantined either at Rafah Border quarantine or at identified schools. Schools are closed till the end of March and the decision will be reviewed weekly by authorities
• The UN Resident Coordinator supported by WHO has held donor briefings and several donors have stepped in and pledged additional resources to support the government’s efforts and to address identified medical supply and equipment gaps based on the 90-day inter-agency COVID-19 response plan developed by WHO and Health Cluster partners
• It is important to mobilise the community to combat rumours and misinformation. WHO and UNICEF are jointly leading a risk communications strategy and are working with a new communications taskforce with the MOH and private sector to tackle misinformation and share health advice
• WHO urges the public to obtain the latest information on COVID-19 from key sources such as MoH 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 16 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 $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:

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). WHO is supporting the delivery of lab testing kits for Gaza to support further testing.

Situation in Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO):