Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Update 10

occupied Palestinian territory, March 18, 2020
 

Situation in occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt):

• On 17 March, the Ministry of Health (MoH) confirmed 5 cases: two travelled to West Bank through Allenby Bridge near Jericho, and further 3 cases are from Bethlehem and are in isolation. In addition to the 39 previous confirmed cases this brings the total to 44 (see the chart below for more detail) 
• Apart from the new cases confirmed yesterday - most come from Bethlehem (see the map below for detail)
• Most cases are asymptomatic and are being isolated in a Bethlehem hotel, a converted drug rehabilitation facility in Bethlehem and in Jericho hospital
• A preventive medicine doctor is available at the Bethlehem hotel isolation site to ensure adequate case management procedures. Infection prevention and control protocols were implemented as per WHO guidelines. Investigations and contact tracing continue
• In Gaza, 49 suspected COVID-19 cases have been tested, all with negative results.
• Those coming from crossings at Rafah or Erez have been quarantined since March 15. More than 787 people are in quarantine either at Rafah border quarantine or at health facilities or schools designated as quarantine facilities. Travel is only possible for urgent humanitarian reasons and is subject to approval. Schools are closed till the end of March and measures will be reviewed weekly by authorities.
• Community mobilization efforts are underway to combat rumours and misinformation. UNICEF and WHO are jointly developing a risk communications and engagement plan to support the Ministry of Health and are working with a new communications taskforce with the MOH and private sector to tackle misinformation and to disseminate health advice
• The UN Resident Coordinator supported by WHO and partners held another donor briefing on 18 March 2020 and informed the donor community of required resources to support the government’s efforts and to address identified priority medical supply and equipment gaps. The plan outlines immediate priority COVID-19 response actions developed by WHO and Health Cluster partners to support containment and to address immediate health system gaps

• 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 17 at 24:00 (GMT + 2)

Response in oPt:

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 an initial $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:

WHO has recently supported the delivery of lab testing kits, personal protective equipment and goggles to support the response to COVID-19.

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). 

Situation in Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO):

Download Awareness Materials:

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