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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report 47
occupied Palestinian territory, issued 8 October 2020
Information for period: 5 March - 8 October 2020
Highlights
WHO supported the coordination and delivery of ambulances and trauma kits to the West Bank
Today WHO joined a virtual ceremony at the Ministry of Health in Ramallah with the Republic of Korea to handover three ambulances. The vehicles will be invaluable to support the transport of sick or injured Palestinians for emergency and non-emergency care during the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO proudly supported the coordination of the vehicles into Palestine.
WHO preparedness, readiness and response
WHO is continuing to work with partners to support Ministry of Health’s (MoH) efforts to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Coordination, planning and monitoring
WHO Head of Office and acting Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator, Dr Gerald Rockenschaub visited the Gaza Strip on October 7 and 8. Several meetings were conducted with local authority officials to discuss the needs and challenges related to the current COVID-19 situation, as well as the provision of UN assistance in response to the economic consequences. Below is a summary of the latest challenges:
Acute shortages of laboratory supplies and equipment needed for COVID-19 testing remain a significant challenge, in light of the growing number of COVID-19 cases. The Gaza central laboratory projects 200,000 tests are needed until end December 2020
Critical shortages of essential drugs and disposables continue to affect healthcare service provision in the Gaza Strip. As of end of September 2020, 47% of essential drugs were at zero stock level (less than one month’s supply). This is jeopardizing the lives of the most vulnerable, such as transplant (immuno-suppressed) and hemodialysis patients, and up to 350 oncology patients. Approximately 13,000 elective surgeries were suspended due to resource constraints
Primary healthcare service delivery is compromised by the outbreak, since 50% of primary healthcare staff are re-assigned to support the COVID-19 response
Shortages of qualified intensive care unit doctors and nurses needed to manage critical cases is another challenge. WHO and partners like MSF are supporting health authorities in training additional 60 doctors and 200 nurses on ICU case management, to enhance health system capacities
Shortages of personal protective equipment (PPEs) for frontline health workers continue. The Health cluster estimates that up to 150,000 full PPE kits, 1 million surgical masks and 2 million gloves, are needed for the response over the next three months.
In the Gaza Strip, movement restrictions were eased, allowing movement between governorates and partial opening of local markets. A curfew is still in place in all governorates from 20:00 to 07:00. Local authorities are also preparing to resume operating schools on October 10, after being suspended and relying on e-learning from 25 August. Around 35,000 Tawjihi (senior high) students are expected to return to school as an initial step
The lockdown in Israel, affecting East Jerusalem, has been extended to Oct 14
WHO continues to support the coordination and delivery of essential equipment:
On 7 October, 4 Complete Blood Count analysers were delivered to the PA Ministry of Health (MoH) - one will be delivered to the Gaza Strip
On 9 Oct, three ambulances were delivered to the Ministry of Health in Ramallah, donated by the Republic of Korea (pictured)
In the last week, WHO provided the following essential medical equipment to emergency departments in Gaza’s five main hospitals to be used in Respiratory Triage Centers (RTCs), see the ‘Sustaining Essential Health Services: WHO Trauma Programme‘ section for details
WHO is continuing to support the entry and delivery of medical equipment and supplies into the country (including ventilators) for Saudi Arabia, Germany and India
Significant quantities of medical equipment including ECGs and patient monitors are also arriving, with procurement support from UNICEF.
Surveillance
The WHO risk assessment remains very high as the number of people testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 continues to increase
The total number of COVID-19 cases rose by 20,603 or 40% (average 686 cases per day) across the oPt in September. From 1- 7 October, the total number of COVID-19 cases rose by 3,814 cases (on average 476 cases per day). Four hundred and twenty two have died, with an overall case fatality rate (CFR) of 0.77%.
Laboratory diagnostics
A total of 440,244 laboratory samples have been tested for COVID-19 according to the MoH.
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Isolation and Case Management, Operations Support and Logistics
A series of infection prevention training sessions for 35 health providers in Maternal and Child Health services were supported by the Palestinian National Institute of Public Health (PNIPH) team and WHO in Gaza. The training focused on general infection prevention and control related to reproductive health services during the COVID-19 outbreak
15,512 Palestinians are in quarantine (home or facility-based) to prevent further spread of the disease
In the Gaza Strip, 147 people are in one of three quarantine facilities which include health facilities, hotels and other designated buildings
The Palestinian National Institute of Public Health (PNIPH) team and WHO in the Gaza Strip, conducted a series of infection prevention training sessions for 35 health providers working in Maternal and Child Health services (pictured). It included discussions, lectures, and role-play. The team aims to train 160 health providers from reproductive health services, including doctors, nurses, midwives, lab technicians, and pharmacists over the next several week
In the West Bank, the PNIPH and MoH in partnership with Juzoor for Health and Social Development is conducting a series of capacity building events between September and December 2020 to build the capacity of the local ICU health workforce focusing on the BASIC (The Basic Assessment and Support in Intensive Care) and BLS (Basic Life Support) training. More than 50 doctors, nurses, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) working in emergency units at MoH and private sector hospitals build their skills and knowledge to support critical care of COVID-19 patients
WHO continues to coordinate and support the delivery of vital medical equipment for the COVID-19 response across Gaza and the West Bank (see images for details).
East Jerusalem
As of 7 October, 33 COVID-19 patients are being treated at the two COVID-19 designated hospitals in the East Jerusalem Hospital Network. COVID-19 bed occupancy at St. Joseph is around 95% (with 24 patients) and 70% (with 9 patients) in Al-Makassed
An additional 8 patients are treated at Augusta Victoria Hospital (4 inpatients and 4 companions). This is the first time AVH treats patients other than those admitted
There are 5 health staff infected with COVID-19 (3 from AVH and 2 from St. Joseph). Eight staff are under quarantine from Al-Makassed
St. Joseph is almost doubling its COVID-19 bed capacity by 22 beds to 50 beds, by adding a new ward. This will increase the overall bed capacity of the designated EJHN hospitals to 72 beds, not including AVH's 16 COVID-19 beds for its inpatients.
Mental health and psychosocial support
This year’s World Mental Health Day [https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day], on 10 October, comes at a time when our daily lives have changed considerably as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This even aims to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilize efforts in support of mental health. WHO has been working diligently to support MHPSS needs in the oPt.
WHO in the oPt has supported the MoH MHPSS response to:
Build the capacity for six emergency MHPSS teams on Psychological First Aid and WHO Basic Psychosocial Skills: A Guide for COVID-19 responders; supervision and support for MHPSS responders was provided
Support a campaign on the impact of COVID-19 on young people specifically on the increase of substance use among them
Promote messages on the importance of dealing with stress and well being on social media
Procure psychotropics for health authorities in Gaza
Distribute information for frontline health workers on managing stress due to the pressure of their work on COVID-19 response in isolation and quarantine centers.
Risk Communications and Community Engagement
WHO tailored and delivered 2,000 Community Engagement kits for Palestinian NGOs in the West Bank to mobilise their volunteer bases and share health information about COVID-19. The kits included alcogel, t-shirts, hats and a bag and were accompanied by 270,000 brochures.
The COVID-19 Risk Communication and Community Engagement Campaign, led by WHO, UNICEF and MoH and supported by partners continues to share health information and address misinformation through its national campaign. In the last month (September) it has:
Delivered more than 710,000 brochures to MoH, NGOs (PNGO and PMRS) and UNRWA in the West Bank and Gaza
Broadcast two interactive Q&A radio programs across seven radio stations in Gaza and West Bank. The episodes focused on COVID-19 preventive measures, essential public health services, Mental health, GBV, stigma and rumors
Launched a 'Back to School' social media and mass media campaign in the West Bank to raise students' awareness of physical distancing and hand washing
Shared almost 150 social media messages with 40+ partners, governorates and media outlets and reached at more than 4 million views of content on Facebook
Continued to broadcast of radio messages daily in Gaza
Sent more than 1 million text messages to Gaza residents
Shared messages via 16 billboards in West Bank and Gaza
Sustaining Essential Health Services: WHO Trauma Program
In the last two weeks, WHO has delivered essential equipment to Gaza’s Limb Reconstruction Centre, including an advanced orthopaedic mobile operating table (pictured), a sterilization device and a plaster electric saw. This is in addition to multiple items for Respiratory Triage Centers (RTCs), that WHO has helped set up outside Gaza’s main hospitals.
WHO is working closely with local health authorities in the Gaza Strip during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide vital medical equipment and supplies to the emergency departments in Gaza’s five main hospitals
The equipment will be used in special triage tents, known as Respiratory Triage Centers (RTCs), that we have helped to set up outside each hospital, to reduce pressure on emergency medical staff inside. The tents are used to screen patients for COVID-19 before they enter the hospital to stop further spread of COVID-19 infection.
In the last two weeks, WHO has delivered the following devices and equipment:
10 triage tents (RTCs) and five electricity generators for the triage tents
55 mobile foldable emergency beds to use inside the tents, and to transport patients to emergency departments
10 monitors to track patients’ vital signs
50 mobile screens to separate patients and stop them infecting each other
90,000 Personal Protective Equipment kits (PPEs) for medical staff: coveralls, shoe covers, face masks and face shields.
Since August, when Gaza recorded its first COVID-19 cases outside quarantine centers, the triage centers have processed 39,940 patients. Of these, 4,817 had respiratory problems
Supporting essential health services
Today, in a ceremony at the Ministry of Health in Ramallah, the Representative of the Russian Federation Mr. Gocha Buachidze joined WHO’s Head of office, Dr Gerald Rockenschaub, to deliver eight trauma kits to the Minister for Health Dr. Mai al-Kaila to support emergency response in Palestine. The kits are designed to be deployed quickly and can help up to 400 surgical interventions. The kits contain vital surgical and other medical equipment (such as resuscitators, stethoscopes and surgical instruments) and supplies (such as gloves, bandages, swabs and tourniquets) and essential drugs to meet the needs of patients in emergency situations. WHO thanks the Russian Federation for its generous donation, which also included 14 emergency kits delivered in March, and looks forward to working together to support better health for all Palestinians.
More local information
WHO COVID-19 Dashboard for oPt [https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiODJlYWM1YTEtNDAxZS00OTFlLThkZjktNDA1ODY2OGQ3NGJkIiwidCI6ImY2MTBjMGI3LWJkMjQtNGIzOS04MTBiLTNkYzI4MGFmYjU5MCIsImMiOjh9]
UN’s COVID-19 Emergency Situation Reports and information via OCHA [https://www.ochaopt.org/theme/covid-19]
Situation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and Globally Click on the dashboard (right) for latest updates on cases in countries in our neighbourhood273,460 cases and 1,765 deaths in Israel ( as of 7 October, 10:00 CET [http://who.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/ead3c6475654481ca51c248d52ab9c61]) according to WHO EURO [https://who.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/ead3c6475654481ca51c248d52ab9c61]) Eastern Mediterranean [https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiN2ExNWI3ZGQtZDk3My00YzE2LWFjYmQtNGMwZjk0OWQ1MjFhIiwidCI6ImY2MTBjMGI3LWJkMjQtNGIzOS04MTBiLTNkYzI4MGFmYjU5MCIsImMiOjh9] Global [https://who.sprinklr.com/] Latest WHO advice and health information:
For updated WHO Publications and Technical Guidance on COVID-19, click here [https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance-publications]
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 External Relations and Communications Officer, platea@who.int
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