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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Update 15

occupied Palestinian territory, March 28, 2020 (epidemiological week 4)

Cases recovered: 18

West Bank: 18Gaza: 0

*Information from Ministry of Health on March 28 at 11:00 (GMT + 2)

Global Map of Cases [http://who.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/c88e37cfc43b4ed3baf977d77e4a0667] Global Situation Reports [https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports]

Cases reported in oPt: 97

West Bank: 88Gaza: 9

Deaths reported in oPt: 1

West Bank: 1Gaza: 0

Total samples tested:

West Bank: 5127 Gaza: 449

WHO Risk Assessment:

oPt: Very HighRegional: Very HighGlobal Level: Very High Situation in occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt):

On 27 March 2020, the Ministry of Health (MoH) confirmed 7 new confirmed cases in the West Bank and on 28 March an additional 6 new cases in the West Bank. No new cases were reported for Gaza in this period

The total number of cases in all oPt is 97, including 88 cases in West Bank and 9 cases in Gaza (see Graph 1 for geographical locations of confirmed cases and Graph 2 for cases per day and Graph 3 for cumulative confirmed cases). MoH has reported a total of 18 cases have recovered

Most cases do not present clinical symptoms and none are critical. All new cases are under medical observation at designated health facilities. Contact tracing was initiated for all cases

In Gaza, those coming from crossings at Rafah or Erez have been quarantined since March 15 and people are in quarantine either at Rafah border quarantine or at health facilities, schools or hotels designated as quarantine facilities. Home quarantine ended 26 March for those who entered Gaza 14 days prior

Work at outpatient clinics, non-emergency surgeries, and visits to inpatients at public hospitals have all been suspended. Other precautionary measures include closing the weekly open markets in all governorates of the Gaza Strip, and restricting social gatherings like weddings and funerals

On 26 March 2020, the Palestinian Authority released the National COVID-19 Response Plan that outlined the strategic measures from a number of key sectors, including health, economy and social protection to contain the outbreak. The amount of $120 million planned by the PA for a period of 90 days is needed to support the proposed measures

On 27 March 2020, the humanitarian clusters under the leadership of Humanitarian Coordinator and with support from WHO have released an updated inter-agency multi-sectoral COVID-19 response plan totaling $34 million for a period of 90 days. The plan aligns the collective efforts of the UN and its partners to support the Palestinian Authority’s lead National Response Plan to manage the impact of COVID-19 as well as with the global UN appeal issued by the UN Secretary General on 25 March 2020

The health response part of the oPt inter-agency plan asks for $19.5 million to support immediate priority COVID-19 response actions developed by partners to support containment and to address immediate health system gaps in laboratory testing, case management and infection prevention and control

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator has released 1 Million USD from the humanitarian pooled fund to address immediate priority needs and WHO and partners are working with the donor community to mobilize further resources to support the government’s efforts and to address identified priority COVID-19 response actions to support containment and to address immediate health system gaps

The humanitarian clusters under the leadership of Humanitarian Coordinator and with support from WHO are working on the update of the inter-agency multi-sectoral COVID-19 response plan. The plan outlines immediate priority COVID-19 response actions developed by partners to support containment and to address immediate system gaps in health, education and other social sectors

WHO urges the public to obtain the latest information on COVID-19 from key sources such as MoH ( dashboard [https://www.corona.ps/]) and WHO (see Twitter [https://twitter.com/WHOoPt], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/WHOpse/] and oPt website [http://www.emro.who.int/countries/pse/index.html]), and follow and promote the recommended basic preventive and protective measures.

*Information provided by Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health on March 28 at 11:00 (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.

To support the COVID-19 response in the West Bank and Gaza, since the beginning of the response WHO has delivered:

COVID-19 testing kits to conduct an estimated 5,760 tests alongside with swabs for collection of samples and other laboratory supplies required for COVID-19 testingPersonal Protective Equipment and hand sanitizers to protect an estimated 2,000 health workersInfrastructure supplies for isolation facilities in JerichoMore than 100,000 brochures and posters to the public with practical advice on how to prevent COVID-19.

In addition WHO is purchasing 25 types of medical disposable items to be used in health facilities designated to treat COVID-19 patients in the Gaza Strip

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 medialaboratory capacities of the MoH in Ramallah have been scaled upPoint of entry checks for incoming travelers are being conducted and isolation wards in health facilities have been establishedhealth workers are equipped and trained in the appropriate infection prevention and control measures and case management of potential COVID-19 case across the oPtthe 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.

The response is ongoing in the Gaza Strip.

WHO toured quarantine and health facilities in Gaza on March 22 to further support health authorities preparedness for COVID-19 and delivered lab testing kits, personal protective equipment to support the response to COVID-19.

The national COVID-19 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 travelersGaza European Hospital to be designated to absorb and treat additional cases once the capacity of the field hospital would get exhaustedthe 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): Click on the EMRO dashboard on the right for the latest updates on cases in countries in our neighbourhood

Israel has 3,035 cases confirmed (as of 27 March 2020, 18:00 CET) EMRO Map of Cases [https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiN2ExNWI3ZGQtZDk3My00YzE2LWFjYmQtNGMwZjk0OWQ1MjFhIiwidCI6ImY2MTBjMGI3LWJkMjQtNGIzOS04MTBiLTNkYzI4MGFmYjU5MCIsImMiOjh9]

INSTANT INFO ON WhatsApp

By texting 'hi' to the number in the image to the right, people can access simple, actionable guidance from WHO and also general tips and resources via WhatsApp. The service was launched on 18 March by WhatsApp, UNICEF and UNDP.

Download Awareness Materials:

HEALTH ADVICE:

MYTH BUSTERS:

RESOURCES IN ARABIC:

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

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