nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
[ 27th august North East Syria ] However, the number of confirmed cases does not necessarily provide an accurate reflection of the prevalence of infection. Limited testing and case detection capacity  ( particularly outside Hassakeh Governorate ) , presents a high risk of significant undetected transmission across NES
[ 27th August Overall Syria ]  According to information provided by 11 health partners, as of the 26 August, 8 NGO facilities  ( including 3 KRC facilities )  run by 6 health partners were closed due to exposure of staff, while a further 15 are only partially operational due to COVID related interruptions
As of 26 August, 72 of the 478 confirmed cases of COVID 19 in NES  ( 15% of all confirmed cases )  were among health workers. Of these, 29  ( 40% of cases among health workers )  were recorded in Hassakeh city with transmission identified at the three main hospitals in the city  Hassakeh National Hospital  ( HNH ) , Hassakeh Military Hospital  ( HMH )  and Al Hikma Hospital.
Collaborating with local news outlets is recommended for dissemination of COVID 19 information in GoS areas. For NSAG/TBAF areas, posting materials on relevant social media platforms and groups might help increase uptake, while collaborating with local government and news media could be more effective in SDF areas. The impact of social media information campaigns will be heavily dependent on trusted sources in AoCs.
[ 27th August Overall Syria ] The majority of new confirmed cases continue to be concentrated in Hassakeh and Qamishli Districts  ( particularly Hassakeh and Qamishli cities, the two biggest urban centres in Hassakeh Governorate ) , with only a minor increase in the number of confirmed cases recorded in other areas
( Syria 25 June 2020 )  The Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform  ( MAAR )  recently announced that more than 70 percent of chicken farmers in Syria stopped production due to the high costs of production  ( mainly linked to the high cost of key feed ingredients such as soybean and maize )
[ 27th august North East Syria ] At the same time, 217 health staff working for 8 NES health partners are currently in self quarantine following exposure to confirmed cases. The high level of exposure among health workers is due to a combination of factors, including low levels of compliance with personal preventative measures, inadequate screening/ triage at the entrance to health facilities, suspect cases visiting health facilities rather than reporting symptoms remotely, movement of health workers between multiple health facilities and, in some cases, reported shortages of Personal Protective Equipment  ( PPE
The two main sources of information in GoS areas are national government  ( 32% )  and news media  ( 29% ) . Trust in the national government  ( 25% )  for COVID 19 information is second only to health providers  ( 40% ) . Communities in SDF areas are more likely to turn to news media  ( 38% )  and local government  ( 33% ) , with focal points reporting news media  ( 19% )  as the second most trusted source after health providers.
Al Hole: On the evening of 26 August, a 29 year old Iraqi woman from phase 7 of the camp tested positive for COVID 19. The woman had been feeling unwell and, having visited the ICRC hospital, was referred to the isolation space where an RRT was deployed to take a sample
Twenty one percent of focal points report non adherence to precautionary measures in July – similar to the proportions in June  ( 20% )  and May  ( 15% ) . However, they suggest a dramatic decrease in people staying home except for essential purposes. In May, 52% of focal points believed their communities would stay home unless necessary to leave, but only 19% in June and July. In addition, focal points believe people are now less likely to practise social distancing  ( 19% )  than they were in May  ( 36% ) .
Five remaining suspect cases, all of whom tested negative but are still displaying symptoms, are in the isolation area. Given the delays in contact tracing, concerns over the contact tracing process, the likelihood of significant transmission  ( i.e. people reportedly moving between the isolation area to other areas of the camps )  and the reluctance of some close contacts to move to the isolation area, the decision was taken to lock down the blocks of the 5 suspect cases and 1 confirmed case. An emergency Areesha Health Committee meeting was convened on 26 August to clarify next steps and review readiness  ( including of the isolation area )
The woman is currently in a stable condition. An emergency Al Hole Health Committee meeting was convened on the morning of 27 August. During this meeting it was agreed to immediately lockdown phase 7 of the camp due to high risk of local transmission  ( particularly considering the delays in contact tracing, which only started on 27 August, 2 days after the woman was confirmed as suspect ) .
( 22 sep,syria )  However, one major issue we are currently facing is that most patients who test positive isolate at home with their families, rather than in isolation centres,' says Dr Boubaker. “This increases the chances of creating new clusters of infections and has certainly contributed to the recent rise in the numbers of COVID 19 cases.
[ February 25, Syria ]  The Minister of Health indicated that the vaccination will begin to be given to the most vulnerable group, who are workers in isolation centers, with priority for the older age group and the nature of work, stressing that the vaccines have been approved by the concerned authorities and have been used in some countries and have proven effective with immunization against the disease at high rates, indicating that they are safe vaccines. It is given in two doses with an interval of 21 days between the first and the second, without any significant side effects.
Trend analysis and overview: The number of confirmed COVID 19 cases in NES has increased by 70% between the 19 August and 26 August, up from 280 confirmed cases  ( 227 active cases, 36 recoveries and 17 fatalities )  to 478 confirmed cases  ( 370 active cases, 80 recoveries and 28 fatalities ) . During this period the 7 day rolling average of daily confirmed cases has increased from 16 to 32 cases per day.
( September23, NWS )  Military escalation led to loss of farming and cropping land, which limited crop production, and further increased input prices.
Only 22% of focal points in SDF areas report their communities practise social distancing, compared with 56% in May. An increased proportion report that people in SDF areas are not practising any precautionary behaviour at all  ( 25%, compared to 10% in May ) .
Staying indoors  ( 76% )  and social distancing  ( 66% )  are more difficult for communities in high density sub districts. In addition to needing to attend or seek work  ( 60% ) , people are afraid of missing out on aid services  ( 53% )  if they stay home. This fear of losing aid is less prevalent in low density areas  ( 21% ) , perhaps because these “hard to reach' locations face higher barriers to the implementation of humanitarian activities to begin with. In these areas, poor understanding of precautionary measures, and family pressure not to adhere to them, are more common. People in high density sub districts are almost three times more likely than people in lower density ones to cite a lack of space to socially distance as a reason why measures are difficult.
In GoS areas, the likelihood that communities feel they have enough information to keep themselves safe is slightly higher than in NSAG/TBAF and SDF areas. The probability that communities in sub districts that host a high proportion of IDPs feel informed is 14 percentage points lower than in sub districts hosting smaller proportions or no IDPs at all. IDPs and the communities that host them are already vulnerable, and may be further disadvantaged by the pandemic if they do not receive sufficient information
Six months since the first identified case of COVID 19 in Syria, communities seem less willing or able to comply with public health measures, while new cases for the first time in two months have led to tougher restrictions in the north east.
Information shared in low and medium density sub districts  ( which tend to be underserved by aid actors )  should be tailored to socio cultural norms, which may differ from those in urban centres. • Information efforts should be inclusive and actively seek to involve host communities; as communities hosting large numbers of internally displaced people  ( IDPs )  are significantly less likely to feel they have enough information to protect themselves from coronavirus
Over the past three months, communities consistently report wanting more information on treatment  ( 58% ) , testing  ( 48% ) , and what to do if sick  ( 46% ) . Though trends in information gaps are the same by AoC, communities in GoS are more likely to request information on symptoms  ( 48% )  than those in NSAG/TBAF and SDF areas. Findings by population density mirror these trends, yet those living in high density sub districts want information on cases  ( 49% ) , while those in low density sub districts report needing clarity on how to identify coronavirus symptoms  ( 46% ) .8 A quarter of focal points in low density sub districts say media and local governments are the main sources of information for their communities.However, only 9% believe their communities actually trust local authorities, and 14% trust news media.
In GoS areas, adherence has remained consistent across all three months, especially with hygiene protocols  ( 84% ) . However, the proportion of focal points reporting people staying home except for essential purposes decreased from 56% in May to 33% in July, and the proportion of those reporting facemask usage dropped from 37% to 31%. Findings by AoC show some positive changes in behaviour: adherence to hygiene recommendations has increased in NSAG/TBAF areas  ( 60%, compared to 48% in May ) . Twenty five percent of focal points report that communities in NSAG/TBAF areas are wearing facemasks, compared to 21% in May.As such, the number of respondents reporting that their communities are not adopting any precautionary measures at all in NSAG/TBAF areas has decreased from 49% in May to 37% in July, despite the nationwide upward trend.
Fear of going to shops  ( 27% )  is affecting communities in high density sub districts, unsurprising due to the inability to practise social distancing.16 This does not mean they will simply stay home since they are also concerned about losing their income  ( 31% ) . Products are less available in low density areas  ( 46% ) ,17 making price hikes a primary concern  ( 45% ) . Lack of understanding of the virus in low density sub districts may cause people to choose between the certainty of hunger and the perceived uncertainty of the virus.
Most focal points  ( 82% )  continue to report that living conditions have worsened for their communities since the beginning of the pandemic, more so in low density areas  ( 96% ) .All focal points in SDF and 94% in GoS areas say this, but in NSAG/TBAF areas, just over half report little change in people's ability to meet their needs, and only 42% note a deterioration. These figures are consistent with those from the June and May consultations. Nationwide, focal points believe communities cannot meet their needs due to an increase in prices  ( 98% ) , fear of losing employment  ( 54% ) , and lack of product availability  ( 29% ) . These are also the top three issues for communities in all AoCs.
Last August, the Syrian Observatory documented the first death of an elderly woman carrying the Corona virus in the town of Al Dana in Idlib countryside, and another case died in the town of Soran in the northern countryside of Aleppo during the same month. The Syrian Observatory documented the death of a doctor, who was infected with the "Corona" virus, in the northern countryside of Aleppo, which is under the pro Turkish factions.
Today, health authorities recorded 23 new cases of the "Corona" virus in northwestern Syria, distributed over 14 cases in the city of Al Bab, one in Azaz, two in Afrin, and 6 cases in Idlib Governorate, one of them in the city of Ariha. The number of total recoveries has also increased to 87.
According to the statistics of the Syrian Observatory, the number of casualties since the 9th of July until today has risen to 213, and they are: two doctors who were residing in Turkey, and 71 people, including medical personnel in the areas of Hayat Tahrir of Al Sham in Idlib and parts of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia, and 140 infected in Areas of the pro Turkish factions, north of Aleppo
Humanitarian and medical workers face enormous risks due to the lack of adequate protective equipment and resources. Also sounding alarm about the rise of food insecurity   which requires unimpeded humanitarian access to all those in need   he echoed other speakers in calling for the release of vulnerable and sick detainees, as well as detained women and children, as a humanitarian act amid the pandemic.
Most notably, the pandemic is seriously affecting Syria's overstretched healthcare capacity, as well as further damaging Syria's fragile economy. He may note that Syria has poor COVID 19 testing capacity and limited access to personal protective equipment  ( PPE ) . Last month, Rajasingham highlighted the situation in the Al Hol refugee and internally displaced persons camp in north east Syria, where health facilities had to cease operations due both to a lack of PPE and staff becoming infected.
According to the statistics of the Syrian Observatory, the number of casualties since the 9th of July until today has risen to 190, and they are: two doctors who were residing in Turkey, and 65 people, including medical personnel in the areas of influence of the Headquarters for the Hayat Tahrir Al Sham in Idlib and parts of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia, and 123 infected. In the areas of influence of the pro Turkish factions, northern Aleppo.
Last August, the Syrian Observatory documented the first death of an elderly woman carrying the Corona virus in the town of Al Dana in Idlib countryside, and another case died in the town of Soran in the northern countryside of Aleppo during the same month. The Syrian Observatory documented the death of a doctor, who was infected with the "Corona" virus, in the northern countryside of Aleppo, which is under the pro Turkish factions
According to figures from the Syrian Ministry of Health, the number of COVID 19 cases in Syria still appears to be relatively small: officially, the number of confirmed cases has reached 2,830  ( including 116 fatalities )  as of 1 September. While this is a sharp increase over previous reporting periods, Rajasingham stated last month that reports of increasing numbers of patients arriving in health care facilities and increasing numbers of death notices and burials indicate that "actual cases far exceed official figures".
In respect of Syria's economic decline being exacerbated by COVID 19, according to OCHA, the unemployment rate increased from 42 percent in 2019 to nearly 50 percent in August. Lowcock is likely to reiterate Rajasingham's point during last month's briefing that COVID 19, coupled with damaged supply chains which resulted from the Beirut explosion on 4 August, has caused food prices to rise, increasing food insecurity. Rajasingham noted that in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the country, OCHA reaches 7.2 million people every month, including some 5.4 million in need of food assistance.
He echoed calls for a ceasefire and noted the delivery of World Health Organization  ( WHO )  medical supplies in the north east, adding, however, that shortages of humanitarian supplies persist. He urged all parties to cooperate fully with the United Nations and humanitarian partners and to maintain the provision of assistance to all those in need. Special focus should be placed on controlling the spread of COVID 19 and mitigating its impact on the dire humanitarian situation, he said, stressing also the need to ensure that Syria's ability to respond to the pandemic is not impacted by sanctions.
While the confirmed number of COVID 19 cases in Syria currently stands at 3,618, reports from inside the country are pointing to a much broader spread of the disease, and it will not be possible to gauge the extent of the outbreak without more laboratory testing nationwide, Mark Lowcock, Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, told the Security Council during a videoconference meeting on 16 Septembe
France's representative said that the Syrian regime's COVID 19 figures are “well below reality' and while testing capacities are gradually being strengthened, they remain insufficient. Emphasizing that food security is worsening, he said that every effort must be made to put into place a nationwide cessation of hostilities and a humanitarian pause
All efforts are also being made to carry out routine immunizations, which have been disrupted by the COVID 19 pandemic, he said, with 23,000 children under the age of five administered polio vaccines in Rural Damascus over five days in August
Underscoring the impact of COVID 19 on Syria's economy, he said that, according to recent data, 45 per cent of businesses have temporarily shut down, with another 25 per cent operating at reduced levels and 15 per cent permanently closed. In the north west, where 45 per cent of households draw their income from day labour, more than 70 per cent of households say their income cannot cover their needs, an increase of 10 per cent since January. While the value of the Syrian pound remains relatively stable, food prices remain at their highest ever levels after soaring more than 250 per cent in the last year, he reported.
The COVID 19 pandemic and the upcoming winter now present new challenges, he said, stressing that the dawning economic crisis is without precedent and the rising number of COVID 19 cases “is only the tip of the iceberg'. Health systems devastated during years of war will be unable to cope, especially as millions of displaced people already live in camps.
( 22 sep overall syria )  As of 22 September, 640 people had tested positive for the new coronavirus in the region, almost 30 per cent of them health workers.
Transmission among health workers: There continues to be significant transmission among health workers and through health facilities indicating both the high risk to health workers, as well as poor adherence to basic preventative measures. This has contributed to 67 confirmed cases among healthcare workers, as well as significant disruption to the provision of basis health services
He underscored the need for urgent measures to combat COVID 19 and its longer term economic impact, with health workers on the front lines getting the protective supplies that they need. It is also vital to keep supporting and funding United Nations efforts to support basic services and to secure humanitarian access while also respecting Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
( 22 sep overall syria )  This increase in the number of people infected with COVID 19 in the region is adding more challenges to an already dire situation in northwest Syria.
[ 16th September 2020, Syria ]  Ras Al Ayn, which is in the area taken by Turkish backed forces during the Peace Spring operation last year, has a border crossing that has been limited to non commercial travel
( 22 sep,syria )  Various isolation sites have been opened and patients showing COVID 19 symptoms can go there to be tested and taken care of,' Dr Boubaker continues.
[ 1st October, overall Syria ]  Screening Procedures at POE: As per previous assessments and recent meetings with Local Health Authorities there are significant gaps in screening capacity at POEs
As noted above, the curfew/ lockdown measures in Hassakeh Governorate are expected to be lifted on 28 August. There is currently no curfew in place in other governorates. NGO exemptions to the curfew still apply, and staff can move within Hasakeh Governorate using only NGO IDs
Today, the health authorities recorded 7 new cases of the "Corona" virus, 3 cases in Idlib city, and one infection in the city of Darat Azza in the western countryside of Aleppo, within the areas of Hayat Tahrir Al Sham. The health authorities recorded two injuries in the city of Al Bab, east of Aleppo, and one in the city of Azaz, north of Aleppo, within the areas of influence of the pro Turkish factions. The cases of recovery in northwestern Syria have also risen to 81.
As previously noted, health partners report that, in many cases, doctors are not adequately assessing the severity of a cases and the likelihood of deterioration. Furthermore, there seems to be a widespread tendency to send suspect cases home, even if they are exhibiting more severe symptoms, rather than hospitalize them
[ September 2020, Overall Syria ]  Although relatively few cases have been reported of infants confirmed with COVID 19; infants are still infectious and contagious and breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure their health and survival.
[ September 2020, Overall Syria ]  In food insecure households, COVID 19 may also exacerbate discriminatory gender and social inequalities around food with adverse impacts on the nutritional status of women.
The Syrian Observatory documented the death of a person infected with the Coronavirus in the countryside of Idlib, bringing the number of deaths to 6 of those carrying the virus in northwestern Syria, and they are: an elderly woman in the town of Dana in Idlib countryside, another in the town of Soran in the countryside of Aleppo, a doctor in the northern countryside of Aleppo, and a man An elderly man in the city of Al Bab, a man in his fifties, in the city of Salqin in Idlib countryside, and a man in Idlib countryside.
On the other hand, the health authorities recorded, today, 63 new cases of the "Corona" virus in northwestern Syria, which is under Hayat Tahrir Al Sham held control and the pro Turkish factions in the governorates of Aleppo and Idlib. According to the statistics of the Syrian Observatory, the number of injuries since the 9th of July until today has risen to 596, including doctors and medical personnel. Also, 25 new cures were recorded during the past 24 hours, carrying the virus, bringing the total number of cures to 196.
( Overall Syria, March August,2020 )  Families are unable to afford basic health services to prevent, diagnose and treat COVID 19 and other preexisting issues.
As previously indicated, it is estimated that the SA have a maximum of 27,000 PCR tests in stock. At current rates of testing, it is estimated that these stocks will be largely depleted by January 2021. The laboratory has warned of a total stock out of certain critical supplies without additional shipments over the coming period
[ March 2021, NSAG and TBAF ]  In the NSAG and TBAF region, POPULATION AT HIGH RISK TO COVID was found to be highest in Dana subdistrict in Idleb governorate with 1,033,710 at high risk to COVId 19 followed by Idleb subdistrict of Idleb governorate with 297,422 and Salqin Sub district of Idleb Governorate with 231,719 individuals at risk.
[ 24th September 2020, Syria ]  Numbers of infections in camps across Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories have risen sharply throughout September.
To keep children and caregivers safe during the visits, clinic staff wear personal protective equipment, ensure all equipment and the premises are sanitized before and after the visits and encourage physical distancing between people while serving them.
[ 24th September 2020, NW Syria ]  Testing capacity is insufficient, and  [ fewer ]  than 9,000 tests have been administered to date. But lack of testing is just one of the many challenges people in north west Syria are facing.
[ 1st October, overall Syria ]  Testing Capacity: At present, approximately 120 samples are tested per day roughly 5 days per week. At current capacity, the laboratory can, at a push, process up to 200 samples with a maximum number of 281 samples processed in one day  ( including Tal Refaat PCR machines ) .
[ 24th September 2020, Idleb ]  The rest of the region's displaced communities are living in informal homes or settlements, where health and wellbeing are much harder to track.
To support and raise their awareness, over 250 pregnant and lactating women were reached with guidance on Infant and Young Child Feeding  ( IYCF )  best practices and 200 children and caregivers were provided with mine risk education.
[ 2nd October, 2020, Overall Syria ]  Health Ministry announced on Friday that 42 new coronavirus cases were registered in Syria, adding that 13 ones have recovered, while one has passed away.
a health worker and one of the 10 member medical team at the UNICEF supported clinic in Suran, established in 2018 following respite in violence in rural Hama.
[ 2nd October, 2020, Overall Syria ]   The Ministry said in a statement that the total number of Coronavirus cases registered in Syria has reached 4289 of which 1130 patients have recovered and 203 have passed away.
In 2020, thanks to a generous funding from Japan, UNICEF through its clinic in Suran, has reached 51,000 children under the age of 15 with immunization, consultations and medicines. It also reached 1,800 pregnant and lactating women with consultations and much needed medicines.
Hama, Syria, 31 August 2020   Access of children and families to essential health care, already hindered by years of conflict in Syria, has been further impacted by economic hardship and the recent spread of the coronavirus  ( COVID 19 ) , further compounding people's needs.
The fragile humanitarian situation of the 4.1 million people living in northwest Syria continues to be exacerbated by the impacts of the ongoing COVID 19 outbreak, volatile economic situation, insecurity and explosive hazards. After nearly a decade of conflict marked by violence, military operations, multiple displacements and economic shocks across northwest Syria, 2.8 million people rely on humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs including shelter, health, food and water.
[ 1st October, Overall Syria ]  Border access for personnel: The Fishkhabour/Semalka border is now open for NGO staff crossings every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday
The Salvation Government issued a circular calling for the closure of wedding halls and places of group games, public swimming pools, and private educational institutes, and the closure of stadiums and gyms, in addition to limiting the work of restaurants to limit their role to serving external meals only.
A new humanitarian catastrophe affecting the Syrian people and adding to their suffering is the presence of hundreds of Syrian citizens stranded at the Syrian Lebanese borders since March 23, 2020 during the closure of the Syrian Lebanese borders, the beginning of the spread of the Corona pandemic, and the announcement by the Minister of Health within the Syrian regime about the first infection with the Corona virus in Syria Coming from outside Syria.
Most of the Syrians who were residing in Lebanon lost their sources of livelihood, especially since most of them were irregular workers and earn their livelihood on a daily basis, in addition to their poor living conditions due to the crises that Lebanon has witnessed and is still witnessing, starting from the Corona crisis and the financial and economic crises that followed, up to Beirut Port explosion
The Salvation Government has mandated the ministries and public authorities to follow up this circular to be implemented within 48 hours, and it shall be enforced as of its date for a period of two weeks, renewable according to the circumstances and spread of the Corona epidemic.
The health authorities have registered, today, 19 new positive cases of COVID 19 in North West Syria, 8 of which are in Al Bab city, 6 in Jarablus, 1 in Azaz, 1 in Afrin, 2 in the city of Idlib, and 1 in Al Dana.
[ September 2020, Overall Syria ]  In 2020, approximately 4.6 million Syrians were in need of nutrition assistance   74% were under the age of five.
[ 28th April 2020, NE Syria ]  Two million people are stuck in northeast Syria without the tools to tackle outbreaks of Covid 19,' saidGerry Simpson, associate crisis and conflict director at Human Rights Watch
[ September 2020,Overall Syria ] The COVID 19 crisis continues to surge considerably in Syria. As of 30 September 2020, around 4,200 COVID 19 cases were confirmed across the country; marking a 55 percent increase compared to the national rate of COVID 19 cases at the end of August.
Special focus should be placed on controlling the spread of COVID 19 and mitigating its impact on the dire humanitarian situation, he said, stressing also the need to ensure that Syria's ability to respond to the pandemic is not impacted by sanctions.
The representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines expressed concern that COVID 19 is now a nationwide issue in Syria, which is also facing a serious shortage of medical equipment and supplies as well as a weakened health care system. Meanwhile, food insecurity and economic decline have also become commonplace in the lives of many Syrians.
Reiterating the importance of unimpeded and impartial humanitarian assistance, as well as the need to ensure the safety of humanitarian actors, he said aid delivery in the north west was negatively impacted by the recent closure of border crossing points. The Syrian authorities must work with humanitarian actors to scale up and streamline the delivery of both cross line and cross border aid.
[ September 2020, Overall Syria ]  COVID 19 and related restrictions are expected to exacerbate existing household food insecurity, disruptions in food systems may limit the availability of and access to nutritious foods, increase food prices making nutritious foods unaffordable, and increase the availability and/or reliance on cheap staple  ( cereals, roots and tubers )  and nutrient poor ultra processed foods
Health authorities have recorded today 37 new cases of coronavirus in north western Syria, which is under the control of HTS and Turkish backed factions in Aleppo and Idlib provinces.
At the Al Hol camp for displaced persons, the first confirmed cases among its 65,000 residents were reported on 27 August, after five health care workers at one of its field hospitals tested positive in recent weeks, he said.
SOHR sources have documented the death of a man who was infected with coronavirus in Idlib countryside, bringing the death toll to six people in north western Syria.
Last week, the Council discussed the impact of COVID 19 on international peace and security, and Syria   one of the most dangerous places in the world with a highly vulnerable population and a devastated health system   is particularly at risk. In the north west, the virus continues to have a multiplier effect on already dire humanitarian conditions. Recalling that some 3 million people there rely on humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs
According to Observatory statistics, the number of confirmed cases, since July 9 to date, rose to 533, including medical staff and doctors. While 22 cases have been recovered in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recovery cases to 171.
Observatory sources say that the quarantine departments do not apply necessary measures on suspected coronavirus cases, letting them self quarantine in their homes in order to evade the expenses of the quarantine provided by the centre to suspected cases while waiting the results' tests.
Health authorities have recorded today 67 new coronavirus cases in north western Syria, which is under the control of HTS and Turkish backed factions in Aleppo and Idlib provinces.
According to Observatory statistics, the number of confirmed cases, since July 9 to date, rose to 596, including medical staff and doctors. While 25 cases have been recovered in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recovery cases to 196.
Syria's northwest has more than 32 coronavirus cases, the Epidemiological Surveillance Laboratory said on Saturday, according to Alsouria Net, taking the total of infections to 496 in the last stronghold for the Syrian opposition. Reports from inside Syria are pointing to a much broader spread of COVID 19 than the number of confirmed cases – currently 3,765 – suggests, the UN's top humanitarian official says.
Health Ministry announced on Monday that 33 new coronavirus cases were registered in Syria and that 17 patients have recovered while 3 ones have passed away with a daily continuous decrease in the number of infections since 10 days in comparison with 60 infections detected two weeks ago.
Loosening of the lockdown in Hassakeh: On the 27 August, the local authorities for Jazeera District  ( Hassakeh Governorate )  issued a directive announcing that the lockdown measures implemented in the region since the end of July would be lifted as of 28 August, although mass gatherings  ( funerals, wedding, communal worship and parties )  would remain prohibited.
Lockdown measures outside Hassakeh: In areas outside Hassakeh the lockdown measures remain extremely limited in scope and enforcement remains lax. Local contacts report that life continues as normal  there are limited movement restrictions, many non essential shops/ services  ( e.g restaurants )  continue to operate and mass gatherings reportedly continue
School restart: Although no official directive has yet been issued, as of 27 August it is understood that the SA plans to postpone the school restart to 1 October  ( having initially been scheduled for the 1 September ) . The NES Forum COVID 19 TF fully supports this proposal
[ September 2020, Overall Syria ]  As the causes of malnutrition in Syria are complex and ranging from direct and underlying drivers; and as the nutritional status of the most vulnerable population groups is likely to deteriorate further due to the health and socio economic impacts of COVID 19; it is crucial that any food security response considers clear nutrition objectives as a central pillar.
According to Self Administration, 1858 PCR tests were conducted in NES so far, with a total of 609 confirmed cases, of whom, 423 active cases, 40 death cases, and 146 recovered cases. Among health workers in camps, 16 workers were reported positive.
The first shipment of UNICEF PPEs is on the way to Qamishli, expected to arrive late this week and to be distributed most likely next week jointly with WHO PPEs shipment in formal and informal settlements. The first shipment will be allocated to camps. Contact tracing is a major issue in all camps.
WHO with other health partners are working to increase the capacity of health workers and mobilize partners to be ready in case any positive case is reported in camps.
It was suggested again by WHO, the management of the isolation centers does not require to be run by health partners. Camp management Organizations are in a better position to take over. In Areesha, the isolation center was activated three weeks ago with some pending issues.
Quarantine in KRI: i )  On arrival to Erbil International Airport: staff are required to either arrive with a valid PCR test  ( administered within 48 hours of arrival )  or take a test at the airport. Even if the test is negative, 14 day selfquarantine  ( either at home/ guesthouse or one of several designated hotels for quarantine )  is mandatory as per MOH guidelines;
As of 26 August, Raqqa city residents report that life ‘continues as normal' with limited restrictions on people's movements and livelihoods. Combined with the lax lockdown measures, local governance and coordination mechanisms for COVID 19 are weak
In the last week  ( between 19 and 26 August )  the 7 day rolling average of confirmed case has also continued its upward trend, particularly in Qamishli where there the average number of cases per day has increased from 8 to 15
NGO staff are still able to cross the Fishkhabour / Semalka border every Tuesday. It is strongly recommended that humanitarian staff cross within 48 hours of receiving a negative PCR test in KRI
Cases have also been reported in Malakiyeh/ Derik and Ras al Ain  ( Darbasiyeh ) , including 2 individuals in Darbasiyeh who were confirmed positive after passing away from COVID 19.
Deir ez Zor: Over the past week, there have been a further 10 cases of COVID 19 confirmed in Deir ezZor. As in other areas, the low number of confirmed cases does not necessarily reflect the actual scale or scope of transmission in Deir ez Zor
The vast majority of confirmed cases of COVID 19 in NES continue to be reported in Hassakeh Governorate, specifically in the main urban centres of Qamishli city and Hassakeh city
As previously mentioned, there are particular concerns around people entering SDF controlled areas from GoS areas via informal crossing points, given the absence of any monitoring/ screening mechanisms in place. It is understood that the first 2 confirmed cases of COVID 19 in Deir ez Zor had entered NES from GoS areas via an informal crossing point.
Raqqa: Over the last week, a further 22 cases of COVID 19 have been confirmed in Raqqa Governorate, including the first recorded cases in Tabqa, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Raqqa to 31
. In Tabqa there have been 13 recorded cases all linked to the same cluster  ( i.e. close contacts of the first 2 confirmed cases in Tabqa ) , with two of these cases admitted to the NGO supported COVID 19 isolation facility in Tabqa National Hospital  ( TNH ) , with one in a critical condition and receiving care in the Intensive Care Unit  ( ICU )  at the time of writing
In Menbij, only 1 sample has been collected and transported to Qamishli for testing since the 23 July. It is understood that in Menbij  ( and reportedly other areas )  only those individuals who return a positive Rapid Diagnostic Test  ( RDT )  result are diagnosed as suspect cases and subsequently have a sample collected by the RRT for PCR testing in Qamishli
ii )  On arrival to Dohuk via Fishkhabour/Semalka: same procedures as arrival via Erbil airport should apply. KRG authorities have informed the NES Forum that PCR testing will be available at the border. After staff have taken a test, they are required to isolate at home  ( NGO guesthouse or designated quarantine hotel )  for 14 days. There also remains an option to negotiate travel directly to the airport from the border
Under testing; resulting from a combination of factors including low reporting, the widespread use of Rapid Diagnostic Tests  ( RDTs )  and the misapplication of clinical screening protocols; presents a high likelihood of significant undetected transmission, particularly for cases with more mild symptoms. In addition, there are also concerns around the laboratory's capacity to process a significant increase in samples. The high risk of undetected transmission is compounded by the limited lockdown measures imposed in many areas, local coordination challenges  ( including around the deployment of Rapid Response and Contact Tracing Teams, as well as the referral of patients with severe symptoms to designated COVID 19 facilities ) , sub optimal case management capacity and the concerning levels of transmission which continue to be reported among healthcare workers and at key health facilities
The UN Relief and Works Agency  ( UNRWA )  in Syria has confirmed the first cases of COVID 19 among Palestinian refugees in Syria   who are among the most vulnerable in the country. Five Palestinian refugees in Damascus and Rural Damascus have been confirmed to have the virus.
To date, the Syrian Ministry of Health has confirmed 14 deaths and 372 cases of the virus, including 18 members of the Ministry of Health.
The fragile health system throughout the country, including severe shortages of qualified medical health personnel, underscores the need for sustained humanitarian support to mitigate the spread of COVID 19.
The northwest regions of Syria witnessed a gradual increase in the number of injuries, until it reached dangerous levels, coinciding with the bad conditions in medical centers and hospitals.
Yesterday, the health authorities recorded 80 new cases of the "Corona" virus in northwestern Syria, where the outcome is the highest since the start of the epidemic in northwestern Syria, while 7 cases of recovery were recorded, bringing the total number of cures to 103. According to the statistics of the Syrian Observatory, the number of injuries since the 9th of July until today has risen to 345, including doctors and medical personnel.
In the context of this, the sources of the Syrian Observatory stated that the quarantine regulations are lenient with those suspected of carrying the "Corona" virus, and do not mind to do the quarantine at home for the infected person, in order to evade the expenses incurred by the quarantine center for suspected cases until taking of the results of the analysis.
As of 12 September, 125 of the 841 confirmed cases of COVID19  ( 15% of all cases )  were recorded amongst health workers. Of these, 50  ( 40% of cases among health workers )  were recorded in Hassakeh city. As previously reported, transmission has been recorded at the three main hospitals in the city  Hassakeh National Hospital  ( HNH ) , Hassakeh Military Hospital  ( HMH )  and Al Hikma Hospital. As of the week beginning 6 September, there were reportedly 2 active COVID 19 cases among health worker at both HNH and HMH. The number of confirmed cases among healthcare workers is likely considerably higher with reports that some health workers displaying symptoms have not been tested and a lack of visibility on transmission in some hospital.
As previously reported, this has a significant impact on health service continuity. The high level of exposure among health workers is due to a combination of factors, including low levels of compliance with personal preventative measures – including proper use of PPE and lack of distancing among staff, inadequate screening/ triage at the entrance to health facilities, suspect cases visiting health facilities rather than reporting symptoms remotely, movement of health workers between multiple health facilities and, in some cases, reported shortages of Personal Protective Equipment  ( PPE ) .
[ January 2021, Ar Raqqa Governorate ]   [ Mahmoudli Camp Overview: No. of Individual: 10,277 ]  57% of households reported that they had borrowed money in the 30 days prior to data collection; on average, these households had a debt load amounting to 113,137 SYP  ( 40 USD ) . Top three reported reasons for taking on debt:
  Food: 99%
  Healthcare: 83%
  Clothing or NFIs: 26%
The sources indicated that the Epidemiological Surveillance Team conducted more than a hundred tests in various schools in the countryside of Damascus.
[ 22nd September 2020, NE Syria ]  Compared with the beginning of the month, this is a ten fold increase, according to UN agency OCHA. On September 22, OCHA said that 392 cases, around 30 percent of the total, work in the healthcare sector.
[ 23rd September 2020, NE Syria ]  There have now been 1,304 people infected with the virus, up from 966 a week earlier, including 363 who have recovered and 55 deaths, according to records issued by the Autonomous Administration of Northeast Syria  ( AANES ) .
Across NES, life continues as normal in most areas. While there remains a ban on mass gatherings  ( in place since end of July ) , levels of enforcement are extremely low with people identifying ways to circumvent these measures  ( e.g. while wedding tents may not be erected, wedding celebrations continue to occur in the streets or in other settings. )  In addition to the ban on mass gatherings, on 18 August a directive was issued by the SA making face coverings mandatory in all public spaces. Adherence to this directive is extremely limited  ( even among SA officials ) , while enforcement is negligible.
Hassakeh: The first cases of COVID 19 in NES since April were confirmed in Qamishli city and Hassakeh city on the 23 July. Over the last month, the number of confirmed cases in both has continued to increase, with a total of 306 confirmed cases in Qamishli and 202 confirmed cases in Hassakeh as of 12 September. Over the last week, the daily average of confirmed cases in Hassakeh and Qamishli has decreased, although in other areas of the governorate cases have increased.
Recent meetings with the Local Health Authorities  ( LHA )  in Hassakeh, Qamishli and Derik confirmed that the use of RDTs is still widespread  ( see laboratory capacity section below )  as a first layer of case diagnosis. As these RDTs are not designed for COVID 19 testing, their heavy use contributes to low levels of case detection due to the high prevalence of false negative results. Issues around low reporting of symptoms  ( due to perceived stigma )  as well the misapplication of clinical screening/ treatment protocols also contributes to low levels of case detection
Raqqa: Over the last week, a further 9 cases of COVID 19 have been recorded in Raqqa Governorate, all in Raqqa Distrcit. As the largest urban centre in NES  ( in terms of total population ) , there continue to be particular concerns over the possible consequence of the limited restrictions/ lockdown measures in Raqqa. The potential impact of lax lockdown measures are compounded by local coordination challenges, with greater levels of divergence from the protocols and guidance established by the central Directorate of Health, in consultation with the NES COVID 19 Technical Committee.
[ 28th April 2020, NE Syria ]  These include banning agencies from buying medical supplies in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq that are destined for export to northeast Syria to prevent and treat Covid 19 there and a lack of clarity relating to organizing cross border transfers.
Imported supplies from overseas: Erbil International airport is open for both commercial and cargo flights. As KRG is still operating at approximately 30% capacity due to COVID restrictions, bureaucratic delays in organizing cargo flights and obtaining NGO tax exemptions remain very common.
As of 12 September, 2,684 swab samples  ( the majority from Hassakeh )  have been collected and transferred to the SA laboratories in Qamsihli and Tall Refaat for testing. The vast majority of these test have been administered since the end of July. Although 31% of all samples have tested positive  ( including the 89 samples taken prior to July ) , it should be noted that there are significant geographic variations in the quantity of samples collected with a majority of these tests carried out on samples collected from Hassakeh, and a sizeable proportion of tests administered to health workers. As such, the current breakdown of positive tests is unlikely to give an accurate overview of the infection prevalence among the community
As of 15 August, at least 103 swab samples  ( Hassakeh 56, Deir ez Zor 46, Raqqa 1 )  are understood to have been collected in response to an undisclosed number of alerts received through the MoH/ WHO EWARS system. As previously noted,  ( and elaborated on under pillar 5 ) , the status and/or results of these tests have not been systematically communicated with relevant entities. It is also possible that the total number of suspected case notifications received, and samples collected by MOH EWARS RRTs could be higher than what has been reported in this Situation Update as this information is not shared by MOH with SA or NES partners. It is understood that 24 of these samples have tested positive; 20 from Hassakeh  ( 1 death )  and 4 from Deir ez Zor  ( 1 death ) .
As of 11 September, there have been 394 tests conducted in NES in response to alerts received through the EWARN system. These samples have been transferred to Idleb for testing, with 34 samples testing positive: 10 in Hassakeh, 8 in Raqqa and 16 in Deir ez Zor. It is understood that the EWARN team alerts the SA whenever suspect cases are identified, with samples subsequently collected via EWARN and SA. As such, the vast majority the 34 positive cases have also likely been confirmed positive by the SA  ( i.e. these 34 positive cases are part of the 819 positive cases recorded by the SA, not in addition to )
A 14 day old baby tested positive for the coronavirus in Suweida, according to the city's Health Directorate Director, Nizar Muhanna, who revealed that a surveillance team has been deployed to check up on the baby's family.
[ 23rd September 2020, NE Syria ]  Despite these concerns, the AANES decided on September 23 to reopen schools, a week after a similar decision by the Syrian government.