Covid Cases in the oPt – 2 Oct. 2020 Daily Press Briefing – (Excerpts)

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC,​
SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
FRIDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2020

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PALESTINE
In the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), as of yesterday, the number of people confirmed to currently have the virus there is 8,577. Since the pandemic began, more than 51,000 cases have been reported, including 376 deaths.  Of these, there are 3,075 cases reported in Gaza, including nearly 1,400 active cases. Most of them are due to community transmission, raising concerns of the longstanding fragility of the Gaza health system.

The UN and humanitarian partners have continue to support local authorities in addressing critical gaps in medical supplies and providing essential services to cover 1,800 people in quarantine facilities throughout Gaza. In addition, preparations are ongoing to transform a number of quarantine facilities into isolation units in case of a substantial rise of infections.

To support the Government of Palestine-led efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus, the COVID-19 Response Plan requests $72.4 million until the end of year. Only 46.4 per cent has been received so far.

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