The Spread of COVID-19 in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip (updated to August 24, 2020)

Overview

This week, there has been a certain increase in the number of cases identified In the Palestinian Authority (PA). However, the trend towards flattening the COVID-19 curve has continued (see graph). This past week, 2,653 new cases were identified (compared to 2,324 last week). According to the PA Health Ministry, there are currently 7,177 active COVID-19 cases (as at August 24, 2020);^[1] 3,489 in the Hebron district, about 49% of the total number. Of the active cases, 28 patients are in ICUs and five are on ventilators. There have been 147 deaths, up from 113 last week. In the Gaza Strip, 25 new cases were identified following the opening of the Rafah Crossing allowing the entrance of 1,800 people into the Gaza Strip. There are now 36 active COVID-19 cases in the Gaza Strip (as at August 24, 2020).

• The East Jerusalem neighborhoods continue to have large numbers of active cases with a potential for mutual infection of the western and eastern neighborhoods. The number of active cases in the East Jerusalem neighborhoods constitutes about 10% of the total number of active cases in Judea and Samaria. According to PA reports, the number of active cases in the East Jerusalem neighborhoods stands at 2,007 (according to Jerusalem municipality data, the number of active cases stands at 1,805). However, in the ITIC’s assessment, in practice, the figure is much higher due to many non-reported cases.

COVID-19 in Judea and Samaria (since late July 2020)

The Spread of COVID-19 in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip

• The following are the main COVID-19 developments in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip this past week:
  • This week, there has been a certain increase in the number of cases identified in the PA, apparently due to non-compliance with health guidelines during Eid al-Adha. However, in spite of that, the general trend towards flattening the COVID-19 curve has continued due the relatively large number of patients who have recovered.
  • The Hebron district, the district of Ramallah and Al-Bireh, the villages around East Jerusalem and East Jerusalem itself continue as the main epicenters. However, there has been a drop in the relative share of the Hebron cases and it now stands at 49%.
  • The district governors continue their policy of enforcing the Health Ministry guidelines, including lockdowns of high-morbidity sites, not always with considerable success. PA officials continue to cite weddings and schools as the main infection sites.
  • In several districts, the population continues to disobey the health regulations enforced by the district governors (and in several cases, senior officials in the district fail to provide a personal example). This hinders PA efforts to curb the spread of the virus.
  • In the Gaza Strip, there has been a significant increase in the number of active cases due to the opening of the Rafah Crossing allowing residents to enter the Gaza Strip. Several people entering from the Erez Crossing tested positive for COVID-19 as well. All those entering the Gaza Strip stay in isolation centers. All patients are at the Rafah hospital.
  • A report prepared by the Gaza Chamber of Commerce and Industry pointed out heavy damage caused to society and the economy in the Gaza Strip due to the virus, mainly the rise of poverty rate and major damage to the sectors of agriculture, tourism, transport, industry, and private education.

Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 Epicenters

Overview

• The distribution of active cases in the PA (7,177) by district is as follows: Hebron, 3,489; Bethlehem, 576; Nablus, 474; Ramallah-Al-Bireh, 1,113; the villages around Jerusalem, 689; Tulkarm, 121; Jericho, 347; Qalqilya, 313; Jenin, 14, Salfit, 38; and Tubas, 3.

Distribution of active COVID-19 cases by district

Hebron district

The number of active cases in the district has decreased, currently standing at 3,489, compared to 4,111 a week ago (as at August 24, 2020). The Hebron district now accounts for 49% of the active COVID-19 cases in the PA (compared to 62.5% a week ago). The trend in the Hebron district is of a gradual decrease in the scope of infection.

Extent of the spread of COVID-19 in the Hebron district

Bethlehem district

There has been an increase in the number of cases. The district now has 576 active cases, compared to 421 last week.

Nablus district

The number of cases has almost doubled. This week, 474 active cases were identified in the Nablus district, compared to 288 last week. District Governor Ibrahim Ramadan continues the enforcement of health regulations in the district. He called on residents to comply with the guidelines and government decisions related to the continued closure of function halls and mourning tents since they are hotspots for spreading the virus (Facebook page of the governor of the Nablus district, August 19, 2020).

• As part of the measures taken, a lockdown was imposed on the village of Al-Lubban al-Sharqiya south of Nablus due to the large number of cases identified in the village (170), which numbers 2,900 residents. Emergency committee members were sent to the village to follow the epidemiological map. General disinfection was carried out in the village. According to the district governor, the lockdown will continue until the situation is stabilized. According to the governor, if they fail to control the situation and the number of cases continues to rise at the same rate, additional steps will be taken (Al-Najah news website, August 17, 2020).
• In a report by a correspondent of the WAFA News Agency, resident of the village of Al-Lubban al-Sharqiya, he refers to the spreading infection in the village. According to the report, prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the village, three weddings were carried out there within 10 days. According to him, the number of active cases reached over 280 people and he estimates that the number may reach 900. He also notes that many families and people who came in contact with patients refused to be tested and decided to self-isolate instead. He concludes his report by noting that the major tragedy is that many people do not believe in the existence of the COVID-19 virus and think it is a conspiracy intended to prevent them from going to work or opening their businesses. Some of these people even instigate others to remove their masks and mock those who take the situation seriously (WAFA, August 22, 2020).

     
Nablus district governor visiting the village of Al-Lubban al-Sharqiya and supervising the disinfection activity (Facebook page of the Palestinian Civil Defense, August 17, 2020)

• On August 19, 2020, police detained a function hall manager west of Nablus after a wedding took place in his hall. Charges have been filed against him. According to the district governor, they detain function hall managers who do not stringently comply with the orders. However, he notes that the situation is under control in most areas (Al-Najah news website, August 17, 2020).
• In spite of the enforcement activity carried out by the governor of the Nablus district, it seems that he and his men do not provide a personal example to the local population. In photos documented at a reconciliation ceremony carried out in the Ayn Beit al-Ma refugee camp under the governor’s auspices, it appears that those attending, including the governor himself, do not comply with the health guidelines, are not wearing masks and are not maintaining social distancing (Facebook page of the governor of the Nablus district, August 17, 2020).

Salfit district

This week, 38 active cases were identified in the district, compared to 10 last week.

• District Governor Abdallah Kamil announced that due to a large number of COVID-19 cases identified in the village of Deir Ballut, a lockdown would be imposed on the village (Amad, August 23, 2020). He also announced the imposition of a five-day lockdown on the village of Yasuf after several active cases had been identified there (Filastin al-Youm, August 20, 2020).

Ramallah district

This week, there has been a major increase in the number of active cases in the Ramallah district: 1,113 active cases were identified this week, compared to 797 last week.

• During the week, a number of government offices in Ramallah closed following the detection of confirmed cases among the employees:
  • The Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs announced that it would be closed on August 23-24, 2020, because some of its employees tested positive. It was also reported that the Commission’s headquarters would be disinfected (Facebook page of the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, August 22, 2020).

   
Disinfection campaign at the headquarters of the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs in Ramallah (Palestinian Civil Defense Facebook page, August 22, 2020)

• • Attorney General Akram al-Khatib reported that it had been decided to close the building housing the Office of the Attorney General for two days. This is due to the discovery of a number of COVID-19 cases among the administrative staff. The building will be disinfected and people who came in contact with the confirmed patients will be tested (Palestinian Prosecutor General’s Facebook page, August 22, 2020).
  • The Ministry of Transport announced an extension of the closure of the main headquarters after a third employee tested positive for COVID-19. The office was disinfected and the employees were tested (Facebook page of the Palestinian Ministry of Transport, August 22, 2020).
• Infection in schools continues. The Beitunia boys high school announced that it would be close until further notice after a student tested positive for COVID-19. The school urged all students to be tested for COVID-test at the Ramallah Health Department (Watan News Agency, August 22, 2020).
• The town of Beit Liqya turned out to be a high-morbidity area after about 30 new cases were discovered there within two days. The Beit Liqya Municipality convened an emergency meeting at which several steps were decided on: to suspend studies at all schools for a week; to close all function halls; to set up a medical committee of the town’s doctors that will monitor the condition of the patients and provide them with medical advice; and to stress the importance of precautionary measures at stores and cafés. In addition, all faculty members will be tested (Beit Liqya Municipality Facebook page, August 21, 2020). After further deterioration of the situation, including a number of deaths, it was decided to impose a complete lockdown on the town (Beit Liqya Municipality Facebook page, August 23, 2020).

Jenin district

This week there was a drop in the number of cases in the Jenin district. A total of 14 cases were identified this week, compared to 35 last week.

Tulkarm district

During the past week, 121 cases were identified, compared to 136 last week.

Qalqilya district

A total of 313 cases were identified, compared to 217 last week.

Villages around Jerusalem

In the villages around Jerusalem, there has been a slight increase in the number of cases. The total number of cases is 698, compared to 603 last week. Palestinian Civil Defense teams in the Jerusalem district carried out a disinfection campaign at the medical center in Bir Nabala in northwest Jerusalem, after the arrival of patients suspected of having COVID-19 (Palestinian Civil Defense Facebook page, August 19, 2020).

• Naqib (Captain) Yusuf al-Jabali, head of the Directorate of Public Relations and Information in the villages around Jerusalem, paid a visit to the Al-Eizariya Municipality. In a meeting with him, Mayor Issam Faroun said that they were making great efforts, in cooperation with the police, the Preventive Security and the Tanzim office in the municipality, to reduce gatherings, ensure the closure of function halls and mourning tents, and increase awareness among residents. (Facebook page of the Friends of the National Palestinian Security Forces – Jerusalem and the Suburbs, August 17, 2020).

East Jerusalem neighborhoods

According to PA reports, the number of cases in the East Jerusalem neighborhoods continues to rise. The number of active cases in East Jerusalem is 2,007, compared to 1,870 active cases last week. According to a report by the Jerusalem Municipality, the number of active cases is 1,805. The total number of cases since the outbreak of the virus in East Jerusalem is 6,364 (Facebook page of the Palestinian Health Ministry, August 24, 2020). According to the Jerusalem Municipality, the total number of cases is 5,568. It must be taken into account that the actual number of patients is much higher.

Number of active cases in the East Jerusalem neighborhoods according to PA reports (since mid-July 2020)

Total number of COVID-19 patients in East Jerusalem according to PA reports (since the beginning of July 2020)

COVID-19 in the East Jerusalem neighborhoods (source: Jerusalem Municipality, updated to August 23, 2020)

Supplying medical equipment and obtaining vaccines

•  In Jericho, a new laboratory was inaugurated at the headquarters of the health department established under the auspices of Mahmoud Abbas. This is the biggest laboratory in the PA that performs tests for COVID-19 and genetic diseases. Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kayla said that the laboratory would improve monitoring of the morbidity rate throughout the PA. According to senior Palestinian Health Ministry official Osama al-Najjar, the laboratory will be able to perform 3,000 tests a day at a total cost of about half a million dollars. He noted that additional laboratories will soon be established in Jenin and Ramallah (Palestinian Health Ministry Facebook page, August 18, 2020).

• Fatah Central Committee Secretary Jibril Rajoub provided the Health Ministry with aid in the form of 50,000 swabs and 10,000 PCR lab test kits. The health minister thanked Rajoub for the aid, noting that the Health Ministry performs about 4,000 COVID-19 tests daily (Palestinian Health Ministry Facebook page, August 23, 2020).
• The International Committee of the Red Cross sent aid to the Health Ministry, including face shields, masks, protective clothing and thermometers (WAFA News Agency, Palestinian Health Ministry Facebook page, August 19, 2020).

Assistance to needy families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

• Palestinian Social Affairs Minister Ahmad Majdalani announced the provision of aid in the sum of NIS 700 ($205) to about 68,000 needy families affected by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to him, the Ministry of Social Affairs, together with the Finance Ministry, the Interior Ministry and the local government would examine the list of those eligible. He noted that the funds came from aid sent by the World Bank to the PA as part of the social support that it provides (SAWA, August 23, 2020).

Return of Palestinians to the PA

• Dr. Ahmed Al-Deek, the political advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, said that joint efforts were being made with Jordan to arrange the return of residents to the PA. According to him, another group of 140 residents from Jordan and 12 residents from Bahrain will arrive on August 19, 2020. At the same time, residents are scheduled to leave the PA for Oman and Turkey (WAFA News Agency, August 18, 2020).

The Gaza Strip

Morbidity

In the Gaza Strip, a record number of new COVID-19 cases was recorded this week, after only a few cases in recent months. The number of active cases in the Gaza Strip is now 36, after 25 new patients were identified during the week (Gaza Strip Health Ministry Twitter account, August 19, 2020). All the patients who were identified were staying at isolation centers and were immediately transferred to the hospital at the Rafah Crossing.

• Following is a list of cases this week (Gaza Strip Health Ministry Twitter account, August 21, 2020):
  • On August 17, 2020, eight new cases were reported. Three of them had arrived via the Rafah Crossing and five via the Erez Crossing.
  • On August 19, 2020, 18 new cases were reported. Seventeen of them had returned via the Rafah Crossing and one via the Erez crossing.
• The increase in morbidity is due to the entry of about 1,800 residents into the Gaza Strip via the Rafah Crossing last week, some of whom tested positive. The entry of residents via the Erez Crossing also plays a role in the increase in morbidity (in the past week, at least six instances of residents with COVID-19 arriving in the Gaza Strip via the Erez Crossing were identified). The total number of people with COVID-19 in the Gaza Strip is now 109. One woman has died (Gaza Strip Health Ministry Twitter account, August 21, 2020). According to the Health Ministry, there are 2,225 people at 16 isolation centers throughout the Gaza Strip (Al-Resalah, August 22, 2020).
• In the Gaza Strip, 16,805 COVID-19 tests have been performed to date, 16,696 of them negative and 109 positive (Khabar, August 16, 2020). Health Ministry Spokesman Dr. Ashraf Al-Qidra said further tests were being performed in order to understand the condition of those at isolation centers (Al-Aqsa, August 18, 2020). Amid Mushtaha, head of the Laboratories Department at the Health Ministry, said that as of August 18, 2020, the employees at the central lab have been divided into three teams working around the clock in order to carry out PCR tests on all those at isolation centers (Gaza Strip Health Ministry website, August 18, 2020).

Report on the implications of COVID-19 morbidity on the economic situation in the Gaza Strip

• The Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO) has released a report on the negative implications of the COVID-19 crisis on the economic sectors. The author of the report is Dr. Maher Tabbaa, Director of Public Relations & Media at the Gaza Chamber of Commerce & Industry. According to the report, the poverty rate among the residents of the Gaza Strip has reached 53%, and the absolute poverty rate has reached 33.8%. A new report by the World Bank predicts that the percentage of poor families in the Gaza Strip will rise to 64%. A total of 68% of the families in the Gaza Strip (about 1.3 million people) suffer from food insecurity, and 80% of the residents rely on food aid.
• The main findings of the report are as follows:
  • The hardest hit sector is the tourism sector, which has completely stopped operating since tourism in the Gaza Strip is based on foreigners. In addition, restaurants, conference halls and function halls have been closed; all reservations have been canceled; and tourism and travel agencies have been closed. A total of about 8,700 employees associated with the tourism sector have suffered.
  • Another sector that has been hit hard is the transport and transportation sector; 80% of its activity has been stopped due to the closure of universities and schools, and the minimal traffic by residents. As a result, more than 3,000 employees have suffered.
  • In the manufacturing sector, about 10,000 employees have lost their jobs. In the various commercial sectors, there has been a sharp drop of 60-70%, due to the lack of purchasing power and the residents buying mainly foodstuffs, cleaning materials and medical necessities.
  • About 200 contractors have ceased to operate in the Gaza Strip due to the COVID-19 crisis. Before the crisis, they had employed about 10,000 Gaza people.
  • The private education sector has also been hit by the COVID-19 crisis. A total of 700 preschools, 53 private schools and 365 private learning centers in the Gaza Strip have been closed. As a result, more than 5,000 people holding jobs related to this sector have suffered.
  • The agricultural sector has suffered heavy losses. Due to the closure of the border crossings and open markets, and the intermittent cessation of exports, crops earmarked for export spoiled, and there was a sharp drop in the prices of crops earmarked for the local market.

^[1] Note: It should be taken into account that statistics from the PA Health Ministry include patients who have recovered, but systematic information about their number is not provided. ↑

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