Coronavirus disease 2019?(COVID-19) Update 5

?occupied Palestinian territory, March 7, 2020

**Information provided on 7 March at 15:00 (GMT + 2)

Cases reported in oPt: 16*

Deaths reported in oPt:?0
Cases reported in Eastern Mediterranean Region:?6,131 (147?deaths) in 16 countries**

WHO Risk Assessment:

  • oPt:?Very?High
  • Regional:?Very?High
  • Global Level:?Very?High

*Information provided by Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health on 6 March at 20:00 (GMT + 2)

Situation in occupied?Palestinian Territory (oPt):
  • The risk to the oPt remains very high
    On 6 March 2020, the Palestinian Authority¡¯s Ministry of Health (MoH) confirmed an additional 9 cases of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) to WHO, bringing the total to 16 (see Table 1 below)
  • As reported by the MoH, the additional 9 cases are coming from the same cluster of cases in Bethlehem as the first 7 confirmed cases
  • The MoH have confirmed that all COVID-19 cases have no symptoms so far and are currently isolated in a hotel in Bethlehem. A preventive medicine doctor is available on site to ensure adequate case management procedures. Infection prevention and control protocols were implemented as per WHO guidelines. Investigations and contact tracing were initiated
  • Further spread can be contained through consolidated action, but collective efforts are required and further resources and support will be needed to enhance response efforts.

*Information provided by Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health on 6 March at 20:00 (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:

  • MoH isolation facilities near Jericho Hospital have been equipped with air condition units to suit the climate conditions with support of WHO
  • N95 masks were delivered by WHO to the MoH as part of the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) kits
  • A number of PPE kits were provided to key health partners: Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA and Palestinian Medical Relief Society
  • WHO continues to support and technically guide the inter-agency efforts to contain the outbreak.

The MOH have been?accelerating preparedness and have implemented respective measures to ensure early detection and case management of any suspected COVID-19 cases and so far have ensured that:

  • A central operations room has been established at the Prime Minister¡¯s office to coordinate activities, including contacts with media
  • Laboratory capacities of the?MoH?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
  • The general public continues to be updated on how to protect themselves.
Delivering personal protective equipment

N95 masks were delivered by WHO to the MoH and some Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ agencies as part of the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) kits

Situation in?Eastern?Mediterranean?Region:

  • Total of 6,131?COVID-19 cases and 147?deaths in Eastern Mediterranean Region: 5,823?in Iran (including 145?deaths), 61 in Kuwait, 56 in Bahrain, 46 in Iraq (including 2 deaths), 45 in United Arab Emirates, 22 in Lebanon, 16 in oPt, 16 in Oman, 15 in Egypt, 12 in Qatar, 6 in Pakistan, 5 in Saudi Arabia, 4 in Afghanistan, 2 in Morocco, 1 in Jordan, 1 in Tunisia. ?Israel has 19 cases confirmed (as of 07-Mar-20, 10:00 CET)
  • WHO urges the public to obtain the latest information on COVID-19 from key sources such as MoH and WHO (see?,??and?), and follow and promote the recommended basic preventive and protective measures (see links to official information below).
Managing risk of COVID-19 infection:

What is the risk to individuals?

  • Recent research shows that most people infected with COVID-19 show mild illness, however, some people, in? particular older people, and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease or diabetes) are at risk for severe disease.

What action should I take?

  • If you are not in an area where COVID-19 is spreading, or have not travelled from an area where COVID-19 is spreading, or have not been in contact with an infected patient, your risk of infection is low.
  • It is understandable that you may feel anxious about the outbreak.
  • It¡¯s a good idea to get the facts from reliable sources to help you accurately determine your risks so that you can take reasonable precautions
  • It is important to be informed of the situation and take appropriate measures to protect yourself and your family
  • ?If you are in an area where there are cases of COVID-19 you need to take the risk of infection seriously. Follow the advice of WHO and guidance issued by national and local health authorities.

Protective measures:

It is important to take measures to protect yourself and your family.
Very effective protective measures people can take include:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub
  • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
  • Avoid unprotected close contact with anyone developing cold or flu-like symptoms and seek medical care if you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing
  • When visiting live markets, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals
  • Cook your food and especially meat thoroughly.

Inform yourself:

  • It is important to keep informed and updates of the situation.
  • Please check the latest information on COVID-19 from key sources such as MoH, national authorities and WHO (see?,??and?), and follow and promote the recommended basic preventive and protective measures.
  • For the region, regular case updates for the Eastern Mediterranean Region are provided by the??on the??for Israel.


Document Type: Update
Document Sources: World Health Organization (WHO)
Subject: Health
Publication Date: 07/03/2020
URL source: