Coronavirus disease 2020 (COVID-19) Update 3
occupied Palestinian territory, March 3, 2020
Global Map of Cases
Cases reported in oPt: 0
Cases reported in Eastern Mediterranean Region: 1692
(in 15 countries)
Coronavirus disease 2020 (COVID-19) Update 3
occupied Palestinian territory, March 3, 2020
Cases reported in oPt: 0 Cases reported in Eastern Mediterranean Region: 1692
(in 15 countries)
WHO Risk Assessment:
oPt: Very High Regional: Very High Global Level: Very High
*Information provided 3 March, 6 AM Central European Time
Global Map of Cases
Global Situation Reports
Situation in oPt and Eastern Mediterranean Region:
1692 cases in Eastern Mediterranean Region: 1501 cases in Iran (including 66 deaths), 49 in Bahrain, 56 cases in Kuwait, 21 cases in United Arab Emirates, 26 cases in Iraq, 13 cases in Lebanon, 6 cases in Oman, 5 cases in Pakistan, 7 cases in Qatar, 2 cases in Egypt, 2 cases in Morocco, 1 case in Afghanistan, 1 case in Tunisia, 1 case in Saudi Arabia and 1 case in Jordan. Israel has 12 cases confirmed
The risk to oPt has been upgraded from high to very high due to increasing number of cases being confirmed in neighbouring countries, and the number of affected countries over the past few days
Consolidated action and further resources will be needed to enhance preparedness efforts
The WHO supports the MOH to accelerate preparedness measures to ensure that:
- laboratory capacities of the MoH are scaled up
- Point of entry checks for incoming travellers are being conducted and isolation wards in health facilities are established
- health workers are equipped and trained in the appropriate infection prevention and control measures and case management of potential Covid-19 case
- the general public is informed on how to protect themselves
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 (see links to official information below).
Latest Preparedness Activities:
WHO has continued to support key stakeholders in preparedness for a potential outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in oPt by:
- training for Palestinian military medical services staff as well as doctors and health workers from the primary healthcare level on case management and infection prevention and control measures at the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Ramallah
- meeting with non-governmental organisations, the military and private sector and the MoH to support preparedness measures between various health care providers and to identify priority preparedness actions
- convening a briefing in Jerusalem (28 Feb) to update key partners and donors on COVID-19 preparedness in the oPt and developments in the region
- delivering essential laboratory and protective items (see article below) to the MoH in the past week in Ramallah and Gaza to help to protect health workers and to support detection and management capacity for potential COVID-19 spread
- WHO joined the MoH and visited health facilities in the West Bank (on 1/3) to observe the level of preparedness at points of entry, quarantine and treatment facilities set up by the MoH in Jericho (see story below).
Essential items delivered to manage any spread of COVID-19
WHO delivered these essential items to the Ministry of Health (on 27/2) to help protect health workers and to support detection and management capacity for potential COVID-19 spread:
- Laboratory testing supplies to test for COVID-19
- Personal Protective Equipment including gloves, masks, full body gown, goggles and hand sanitizer
WHO staff delivering essential items to MoH in Ramallah
to help manage any potential spread of COVID-19
How is the West Bank is preparing for a potential COVID-19 outbreak?
WHO joined the Ministry of Health (MoH) and visited health facilities in the West Bank (on 1/3) to observe the level of preparedness at points of entry, quarantine and treatment facilities set up by the MoH in Jericho.
The MoH has implemented effective measures to ensure early detection and case management of any suspected COVID-19 case and similar efforts are made for Gaza.
Incoming passengers coming from Jordan (via King Hussein Bridge Crossing) are checked at Jericho Crossing Point medical facility (see top image) so that appropriate medical and control measures can be taken.
Suspected COVID-19 infected travelers are transferred to isolation rooms next to Jericho hospital and in the military medical academy facility (see second and third images), while test results are confirmed. If Covid-19 is confirmed, treatment rooms, including for intensive care, are ready to receive patients in the temporary health facility set up.
Download Awareness Materials:
RESOURCES IN ARABIC Arabic: العربية:
WATCH VIDEO:
What is COVID-19 and how do you protect yourself against it?
Further information:
Dr. Gerald Rockenschaub, WHO oPt Head of Office, rockenschaubg@who.int
Dr. Ayadil Saparbekov, WHO oPt Health Emergencies Team Lead, asaparbekov@who.int
Alice Plate, WHO oPt Communication Specialist, platea@who.int
Address: 10 Abu Obaida Street, Sheikh Jarrah, Jerusalem
Tel: +972-2-581-0193
www.emro.who.int/countries/pse
Email: emacopseadv@who.int
Document Sources: World Health Organization (WHO)
Subject: Health
Publication Date: 03/03/2020