nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
( Whole Syria 30 September 2020 )  The populations of concern are all groups susceptible to the virus. However, the elderly  ( those 60 years and above )  and people with underlying health conditions are particularly at risk;as are vulnerable refugee and IDP populations and healthcare workers with inadequate personal protective equipment  ( PPE ) .
( NW 20/10/2020 )  With basic commodities such as fuel, bread, transport, electricity and telecommunications services now reportedly priced in TRY, people without adequate access to TRY risk being excluded from markets or facing higher prices for the same goods and services because of exchange rate disparities –further marginalising more vulnerable members of society. The devaluation of the SYP intensifies the precarious economic situation and is worsened by the impacts of COVID 19 on communities and markets.
( Whole Syria 30 September 2020 )  The leading causes of morbidity among all age groups were influenza like illnesses, and acute diarrhoea. ° Influenza like illness  ( ILI ) : 62,036 accounting for 46.2% of total cases. Most cases reported from Aleppo, Deir ez Zor and Tartous. Theaverage number of ILI case per week was 12,407. °Acute diarrhoea  ( AD ) : 47,033  ( 35.1 % of total cases ) , most reported from Deir ez Zor, Aleppo, and Idleb. ° Severe acute respiratory infection  ( SARI ) : 785 case were reported, which decreased by 42.2% compared to the number of SARI during the previous month  ( 1359 ) . The average of weekly number of reporting was 157. °Acute jaundice syndrome  ( AJS ) : 4640 most reported from Deir ez Zor, Ar Raqqa, and Idelb. °Suspected measles  ( SM ) : 72most reported from Idleb, Deir ez Zor, Rural Damascus, and Al Hasakeh. °Acute flaccid paralysis  ( AFP ) : 26most reported from Homs, Rural Damascus, Damascus, and Al Hasakeh. °Suspected COVID 19: 2761. Most reported from Aleppo, Damascus and Rural Damascus. °For the “other diseases'category 14961 cases were reported, with the most reported cases is Lice ofcases  ( 4592 ) , leishmaniasis ( 3911 ) , and typhoid  ( 1613 )
( Whole Syria 30 September 2020 )  Number of COVID 19 deaths is 200 and CFR= 4.8%. COVID 19 deaths were distributed as follow: 90 ( 45% )  in Damascus, 30 ( 15% )  in Homs, 28 ( 14% )  in Aleppo,12 ( 6% )  in Lattakia, 10 ( 5% )  in Rural Damascus,8 ( 4% )  in As Swieda, 7 ( 3.5% )  in Hama, 6 ( 3% )  in Tartous,4 ( 2% )  in Deir ez Zor, 3 ( 1.5% )  in Quneitra, and 2  ( 1% )  in Al Hasakeh. 141 cases  ( 3.4% )  are travel related cases, 205 cases  ( 4.9% )  are contacts of confirmed cases, and 3854 cases  ( 91.8% )  are community infection. The current transmission is presented as “community'. Clinical presentation of cases: 501 of cases  ( 11.9% )  were asymptomatic, 1061  ( 25.3% )  had moderate symptoms, 2638  ( 62.8% )  were severe. The number of confirmed COVID 19 cases among health workers increased to 180 , mainly in Damascus and Lattakia, in addition to Rural Damascus, Aleppo and As Swieda. 11 HWs deaths were reported among positive COVID 19 cases  ( 6 Damascus, 2 Rural Damascus and 2 in Aleppo and 1 in Homs ) / Total number of 26,667 lab tests were performed in public health laboratories in four governorates Damascus,Aleppo, Homs, and Lattakia. The current testing rate is 131 tests per 100,000, and positivity rate is 15.7%
( NW 20/10/2020 )  Economic crisis is inhibiting individuals' independent access to vital supplies for winterisation, such as fuel for heating
( NW 20/10/2020 )  The  prevalence of  chronic malnutrition among children aged 6 59 months increased from 19 percent to 33 percent  ( 35percent for boys, 31percentfor girls )  between May 2019 and September 2020, while the prevalence of acute malnutrition increased from 1 percent to 2 percent over the same period.For Pregnant and Lactating Women  ( PLW ) , proxy prevalence of acute malnutrition across northwest Syria is at 11 percent. There  are  also  significant  differences  across  northwest  Syria. The  proxy  prevalence  of  acute  malnutrition  was  higher  in Idleb compared to Aleppo among children aged 6 59 months  ( 4 percent vs. 1 percent )  and PLW  ( 20 percent vs. 2 percent ) and was generally higher among displaced persons for both children aged 6 59 months and PLW. The COVID 19  outbreak and  economic downturn may potentially  cause  further  deterioration  of  the  nutrition  situation  during  the  second  half  of  2020, due to dysfunctional  markets,  limited  livelihoods  opportunities,  inflation,  low  purchasing  power,  increasing  food  insecurity,  and disruption  of  access  to health  and  WASH  services.
( NW 20/10/2020 )  Access to safe water is a priority; only 57 percent of water stations in northwest Syria are functioning, of which only 80 percent are disinfecting their water. Current gap analysis indicates that across 27 sub districts, 1.3 million people lack some form of WASH service, including water trucking  ( 156,278 people ) , connection to piped water networks  ( 1,041,343 people ) , latrine construction and sewage network rehabilitation or construction  ( 179,393 people ) , solid waste removal services  ( 454,641 people ) , and hygiene kit distributions  ( 62,787 people ) . Observations from sites assessed by WASH field facilitators indicate that 33 percent of locations receive less than 30 litres of safe water per day and 58 per cent of locations have insufficient chlorine levels in drinking water. Average latrines coverage is one for every 103 persons, 41 percent of locations have a coverage of more than 50 persons per latrine, and in 19 percent of locations latrines are not segregated by sex. In 69 percent of locations, affected populations had no access to hygiene kits in the past three months.
( NW 20/10/2020 )  Protection partners are observing a steady increase in adoption of harmful coping mechanisms, resulting especially in child protection and gender based violence  ( GBV )  violations. Some women are reported to leave their abusive relationships, but lack safe shelter elsewhere. GBV partners continue to report that male adolescents are exposed to sexual abuse, especially in orphanages, and note an increase in rates of sexual harassment and abuse against children, especially by other children. Isolated but increasing reports of suicides, including of young women, are received. Dynamics around housing, land, and property rights remain of concern, with local authorities in Idleb reportedly increasingly expropriating property from absent landowners. Forced evictions of displaced persons from residential, commercial and public properties are being increasingly reported, suggesting a concerning upward trend. COVID 19 and widespread fears of infection are causing social pressure and distress, especially for women who are considered by their community to be primarily responsible for the health and well being of their families. Social stigma associated with COVID 19, alongside pressure to maintain income and livelihood, is reportedly inducing people to hide symptoms and avoid seeking treatment or self isolating.
[ Whole of Syria, June 2020 ]  The national average price of the WFP standard reference food basket  ( SYP 84,095 in June 2020 ) , is now higher than even the highest official monthly government salary of SYP 80,240. In comparison, in October 2019, WFP's national average reference food basket was SYP 25,424.
[ October 27, Homs, infections among student and teachers ]  infections were recorded among students and teachers at Al Farahidi School in Talbiseh city in the countryside of Homs, after conducting medical surveys at the school after suspicions that one of the students had been injured a few days ago, and the results were positive for the five students and their teachers. A teacher at the school confirmed to Syria TV website that he had expected that the educational process in the city would be stopped entirely by the Directorate of Education in Homs after the results appeared, the injured teachers and students were prevented from attending the school and request They adhere to home quarantine while continuing the educational process as if nothing had happened, in clear disregard for the lives of dozens of students and teachers in the city.
[ Whole of Syria, June 2020 ]  In June 2020, around one third  ( 34 percent )  of surveyed households reported poor or borderline food consumption; a 15 percent increase compared to June 2018 and June 2019. Large disparities in food consumption levels exists across the country.
( Syria 2018 2020 )  Increases in fuel prices and the depreciation of the Syrian pound meant that food prices in Syria had already been on the rise since late 2018. However, food prices increases accelerated significantly in 2019, especially after the start of the Lebanese financial crisis caused banks in Lebanon to restrict release of funds to bank account holders. Many Syrians have a bank account in Lebanon and as such are no longer able to access their savings, which are estimated to amount to around 45 billion US dollars. The inaccessibility of US dollar accounts in Lebanon has heavily impacted Syrian traders who used Lebanese banks to facilitate their trade on the international market. With reduced availability of US dollars on the Lebanese market, demand on US dollars grew in Syria and the Syrian currency started depreciating ever faster vis à vis the US dollar, which in turn pushed up commodity prices. COVID 19 has added a further layer of complexity to the context, forcing all non food businesses and non essential services to temporarily shut while food businesses had to restructure their operations to ensure they complied with the required COVID 19 mitigation measures. While most COVID 19 movement restriction measures business closures as well as Ramadan festivities led to panic buying and as a result, to an increase in the price of commodities. The increase in prices had already been affecting Syria before COVID 19 and has continued since the main COVID 19 related restrictions were removed, outlining the much deeper underlying structural economic issues instigating the rise in prices of goods in Syria. Nevertheless, COVID 19 containment measures are further impacting prices in Syria, and a similar trend can be expected if movement restriction measures are re imposed in the coming months.
( whole of Syria, Feb June 2020 )  This study outlines that while the food security situation was worsening in Syria before COVID 19, the deterioration has since accelerated due to the global, regional and local impacts of the pandemic and associated mitigation measures. A WFP rapid food security assessment2 had already reported that by February 2020, the deteriorating Syrian pound  ( SYP ) /USD informal exchange rate had already led to widespread inflation across all sectors of the Syrian economy, food included. The price of food continued to rise during the government imposed COVID 19 related lockdown period in Syria due to panic buying, hoarding and lack of controls on prices. However, since the lockdown period ended  ( late May 2020 ) , prices have continued to worsen. It is worth noting that the current economic hardships faced by the Syrian population is not primarily driven by the COVID 19 outbreak itself, but is the result of multiple concurrent factors that even individually would have been disruptive in their own right. The pre existing and underlying fragility of the Syrian economy and the multiple shocks that occurred in between mid 2019 and 2020 have greatly weakened the Syrian economy. As such, the restrictions applied during the initial phase of the pandemic have had a disproportional effect on the wellbeing on the Syrian population, heavily impacting employment opportunities across the country, pushing up prices, further eroding household coping mechanisms and worsening already dire socio economic indicators.
( Syria background )  Syria has historically been a strong agrarian economy. Much of the country's cropland lies in the north east, north and central parts of the country, including notably the governorates of Al Hasakeh, Ar Raqqa, Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and Rural Damascus. Agriculture in the western governorates of Lattakia, Tartous and Idleb is known to largely centre on citrus fruits, apples, olives and vegetable cultivation. While the Badia region, a stretch of semi arid land in central Syria covering around 55 percent of the country, is primarily used for livestock grazing.While Syria cultivates a number of crops; namely barley, cotton, tobacco, sugar beet, lentils, chickpeas, fava beans, peas, vegetables, citrus fruits, olives and herbs, its main staple is wheat. Up to 40 percent of wheat grain is cultivated in Al Hasakeh governorate, with Ar Raqqa, Aleppo, Hama and Homs governorates contributing much of the remaining 60 percent. Some wheat is also cultivated in Rural Damascus governorate and in the southern governorates of Dar'a and Quneitra and in the irrigated land of Deir ez Zor governorate. As a result, much of the wheat trade flow goes from northeast and northern parts of the country towards western and southern Syria. Syria is currently a wheat deficit country, meaning it does not produce enough wheat annually to meet its own needs. In 2019, wheat production was 2.2 million tonnes, below the estimated total utilization requirement of 4.5 million tonnes  ( of which 3.5 million tonnes is for food use )  and below the 4.1 million tonnes pre crisis  ( 2002 11 )  national average production level. In 2020, it is estimated that wheat production in Syria will be around 2.8 million tonnes with only around 0.8 million tonnes produced in GoS controlled areas.Syria heavily depends on markets for its food security. Already in 2010 over 50 percent of Syrians were reported to be living in urban areas, making markets essential in providing Syrians with their food needs. In 2019, 89 percent of Syrians reported markets as their main source of food.
[ 11th Dec 2020,overall Syria ]  Bashour revealed that the number of positive cases has increased in the past ten days, indicating that the governorate is approaching the second peak of the spread. Bashour called for a full mobilization to limit the spread of the virus and potential infections.
[ 26 Sep 2020 ]   [ Idleb ]  The schools in Idleb have reopened on 26 September 2020, with COVID 19 prevention measures implemented  ( one pupil per desk   physical distancing   frequent disinfection   provision of masks )
[ 17th January 2021, Syria ]  Health Ministry announced that 94 new coronavirus cases were registered in the country, and 74 patients infected with the virus have recovered while 8 others have passed away.
[ 25th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  The precautionary measures adopted in Syrian schools to limit the spread of coronavirus pandemic were discussed by Education Minister Dr. Darem Tabaa, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed Al Manzari, WHO Representative to Syria, Dr Akjemal Magtymova and the accompanying delegation.
[ 25th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  There is no spread of the epidemic in schools and there are natural cases as a result of the spread of the disease in the society and are directly monitored and dealt with in accordance with the health protocol, according to Tabaa.
[ 25th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  In a similar statement, al Manzari said that that the return of students to schools is one of the challenges that the world faced in light of the spread of the Corona epidemic.
[ 17th January 2021, Syria ]  In a statement on Sunday evening, the Ministry said that the total number of Coronavirus cases in the country climbed to 13,036 of which 6548 cases recovered and 832 passed away.
[ 20th October syria ]  Of the current cases, 1,476 are in the Idleb area and 1,389 cases are in northern Aleppo governorate. Idleb and Al Bab sub districts are the most affected, together accounting for some half of all confirmed cases in the northwest, drawing calls for urgent attention to these areas.
[ 11th Dec 2020,overall Syria ]  Bashour said that non essential operations have been stopped and that only emergency operations and those related to tumors are being carried out
[ 20th October NWS ]  The number of COVID 19 cases in northwest Syria increased twenty fold since the last situation report, from 138 cases on 8 September to 2,865 cases as of 19 October.
[ 20th October NWS ]  These supplement the existing laboratory in Idleb city which has two PCR machines, and contribute to a sharp rise in daily testing capacity, now averaging of over 500 tests per day
[ 22nd Dec 2020, Syria ]  So far, five COVID cases have been reported at the Zuhour camp outside the northwestern city of Idlib, run by the anti government Free Syrian Army and where Al Zeit and around 1,000 other Syrians are leading a hand to mouth existence.
[ 22nd Dec 2020, Syria ]  Registered COVID cases in northern Syria rose by 91 to 19,538 on Monday, the interim regional government's health ministry said. Fatalities stand at 289.
[ November 20, Idlib ]  In densely populated camps, the chances of transmitting the Coronavirus are usually higher, and the implementation of self isolation is very difficult, if not impossible, and regular hand washing is also a fundamental challenge, as many people depend on water collected from shared tanks. , With the potential for contamination, if water is available at all.
[ 22nd Dec 2020, Syria ]  cases have increased steadily in northwest Syria since July, says French medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres  ( MSF )  and, with tents overcrowded and basic health services and sanitation lacking, it believes the risks of a significant outbreak at the camp and others like it are high.
[  November 20, Idlib ]  With the increase in the number of new Coronavirus infections, in Idlib Governorate, in northwest Syria, since last July, the local authorities in the area under the control of the armed opposition imposed measures to confront the epidemic, including a partial closure, starting from the sixth of November, to help slow the transmission of infection. .
[ November 20, Idlib ]  "As much as the virus causes fear, I must also secure my family's livelihood." For Kamal, the sole provider for a family of 15, the economic repercussions of the pandemic are more life threatening than the pandemic itself. Before its outbreak and the restrictions imposed to face it, Kamal used to work on construction sites whenever he had the opportunity.
[  November 20, Idlib ]  While some parents have stopped sending their children to school as a result, some teachers have tried to find alternative solutions, such as giving students advice to use old cloths to cover their faces.
[ 11th Dec 2020,overall Syria ]   A section of the hospital has been allocated for coronavirus patients, with 26 beds equipped with oxygen and respiratory support devices for patients that do not need an oxygen concentrator yet.
[  November 20, Idlib ]  Students were asked to stick to the masks that are sold in local pharmacies for one Turkish lira  ( $ 0.13 ) , but, even this small amount elsewhere is far out of reach for many parents. Umm Firas says: "The teacher asked my daughters to stick to the mask, so what could they say to their teacher?" "I have never bought a mask, I can barely buy bread. When I have money, I always choose to buy bread," she continues.
[ 31st Oct 2020, Overall Syria ]  Health Ministry announced on Friday that 50 new Coronavirus cases were registered in Syria, and that 39 patients have recovered while 4 others have passed away.
[ 11th Dec 2020,overall Syria ]  There are fears that the number of cases that require isolation might go up today, Thursday, in light of an increase in the number of patients.
[ 31 Oct 2020 ]   [ NES  ( Al Hasakeh governorate )  ]  Maintenance workshops affiliated to the drinking water company in Hasaka Province have accomplished a number of repairing works in Alouk Water Project with the aim of putting it into service with full capacity soon. Director of the Company Mahoud al Okla pointed out that the company continues to maintain Alouk project to put it into service with full capacity of 80,000 cubic meters of water per a day, while the production capacity now is estimated at 70,000 cubic meter which feeds Hasaka city and its western countryside.
[ November 20, Idlib ]  In this context, Kamal comments: "My main concern is to stay away as much as possible from any suspected infection with Corona. The camp is overcrowded and hiding from the virus is a real challenge."
[ April 2020, Syria ]  The government has announced preventive and restrictive measures to contain the spread of disease, including closure of schools, universities, markets, public places etc.
[ 31st Oct 2020, Overall Syria ]  The ministry indicated, in a statement to SANA, that the total number of Coronavirus infections registered in the country till now has reached at 5683, out of which 1937 ones have recovered while 285 others have passed away.
[  November 20, Idlib ]  The announced closure includes all places where crowds gather such as public markets, universities and schools. Small local grocery stores, pharmacies and clinics remain open in northwest Syria. And in turn,
[ 21st Oct 2020, Overall Syria ]  Al Ghabbash clarified that the Ministry of Technology and Communications provided health staffs with free offers to stay on constant communications with their work places and to keep up to date with the latest international studies and researches in terms related to COVID 19 and the treatment protocols certified locally and internationally.
[ 18th December, 2020, Overall Syria ]  In a statement to SANA, the ministry indicated that the total number of Coronavirus infections registered in the country till now has reached at 9928, out of which 4686 ones have recovered while 591 others have passed away.
[  November 20, Idlib ]  The camp where Umm Ahmad lives hosts more than 50 families. It includes one water tank and three toilets shared by all families. She comments: "It is impossible to wash hands regularly in the camp without exposing ourselves to danger." With the deterioration of her economic situation, it became difficult for Umm Ahmad to buy detergents and soap to protect herself and her family from Corona,
[ 29th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  Recent suspension of some schools/classrooms where students or teachers had been confirmed to have contracted COVID 19.
[  November 20, Idlib ]  "There are things we can do to avoid catching the virus. For example, I have stopped going out as much as I can, and I avoid coming with other people, but my children are small and need to play and our tent is cramped, so I cannot prevent them from playing outside with other children," she says. How should I do that? "
[ Jan 2021, Deir ez Zor governorate ]  In Abu Khashab Camp, Camp Overview Number of individuals: 10,277 | Number of healthcare facilities: 3 , Of the 46% of households who required treatment in the 30 days prior to data collection, 80% reported that they had faced barriers to accessing medical care. Of those that faced barriers, the most commonly reported barriers to accessing medical care were: • Cannot afford to pay for health services  ( 62% )  • High cost of transportation to health facilities  ( 54% )
[ 1 20 Oct 2020 ]   [ Whole of Syria ]  Earlier this month it was reported that Damascus Airport had reopened for regular commercial flights after a six month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
[ nov 2,2020 Overall Syria ] The closure of the crossing has resulted in the shuttering of medical facilities and shortages of health supplies
[ 1 Nov 2020 ]   [ GoS  ( As Suwayda )  ]  Abu Fakhr affirmed that the necessary measures had been taken and that every classroom division in which an infection was recorded was closed for five days, in addition to taking many scans from those in contact, indicating that the results had not yet emerged.
[ 8 Oct 2020 ]   [ GoS ]  The School Health Directorate in the Ministry of Education of the government of Syria announced on the eighth of last month that it would not close schools, because the epidemiological situation of the Coronavirus is within acceptable limits.
[ 23rd December 2020, NW Syria ] There is a distinct lack of, and unreliability, of income sources and a heavy reliance on debt and credit. Alongside this, the deteriorating SYP and COVID 19 context create further instability.
[ 23rd October 2020,Overall Syria ]  To date, the following measures have been taken to curb the spread of the disease: mandatory mask wearing, closing of borders; set up of proximity screening sites, set up of treatment centers; risk communication and community engagement, providing updated information on the COVID 19 situation.
[ 1 Nov 2020 ]   [ GoS  ( As Suwayda )  ]  Dr. Khair Abu Fakhr, head of the School Health Department in As Suwayda, told the pro government newspaper, Al Watan, that the number of confirmed cases of COVID 19, which is proven by laboratory analysis, in the governorate's schools has reached 16, after 3 new infections were recorded.
[ 08/02/2021, NES ]  Explosive hazards persisted, with areas in northern Aleppo governorate including Al Bab and Afrin particularly affected this month. Improvised explosive devices  ( IEDs )  were commonly detonated in populated areas, resulting in high civilian casualties in several incidents.
[ Jan 2021, Deir ez Zor governorate ]  In Abu Khashab Camp, Camp Overview Number of individuals: 10,277 | Hygiene 99% of households reported that hand/body soap was available at the time of data collection. 57% Proportion of households that were able to access all assessed hygiene items in the two weeks prior to data collection. Hygiene items were most commonly inaccessible because households could not afford to buy them.
[ 11th Dec 2020,overall Syria ]  The Director of the General Authority of Ibn al Nafees Hospital, Nizar Ibrahim, explained that the number of positive cases at the hospital during the past ten days saw a 12 to 15 percent increase
[ 29th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  During the reporting period, more than 4,850 suspected COVID 19 cases and contacts were investigated within 24 hours of an alert being received. In addition, WHO supported the transport of 630 suspected case specimens to the central laboratories.
[ 6th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  Health Ministry announced on Friday that 62 new Coronavirus cases were registered in Syria, and 59 patients have recovered while 4 others have passed away.
With the Government of Syria thus far confirming a total of 2,008 COVID 19 cases,3 concerns are growing over the resilience of the populations to cope with the pandemic.
Awareness of COVID 19 related risks is key to practicing prevention, and current findings suggest that at least 97 percent of households report having received information about COVID 19.
Returnee households display an overall lower awareness rate  ( 87 percent ) , compared to other households
[ Sep 2020,Overall Syria ]  In his letter, the clergyman describes the work of raising awareness among members of his parish and across the city, from social distancing to wearing masks, to “avoid a larger catastrophe.'
While there is limited variation regarding level of concern among household types  ( e.g. female headed households, households with PWDs ) , host communities report the overall highest levels of concern.
[  October 18, Quneitra, preventive measures in schools ]  Asaad explained the implementation of the Ministerial Health Protocol with great care, providing sterilization materials for all schools, and taking all necessary precautionary measures, including sterilization and achieving the conditions for spacing and relieving pressure in classrooms, noting the role of health supervisors in organizing the entry and exit of students and the morning sterilization work for students.
Living in shelters and mixing with different people.' A woman from Idlib sub district sharing a violence risk factor for women and girls.Living with strangers and having minimal support for shelter poses a risk for GBV, hence why some respondents suggested that camps be eliminated and houses that are habitable and regulated be identified. Some women and girls noted that they experience emotional violence through insults when they receive aid in the form of non food items. Others also noted that ethnic minorities mixing with local residents can also be a violence risk factor.
The continued poverty and pressures linked to poor finances as well as the stresses of living life during crisis are also risk factors for women and girls who experience violence.
[ November 2020, NWS ]  November findings highlight a high risk of continued acceleration of COVID 19 spread. Overcrowded shelters, health facilities, and schools were cited in at least 46% of communities where barriers were reported
[ 29th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  As detailed in previous reports, development, printing and distribution of information, education and communication  ( IEC )  materials in addition to awareness raising on social media, WhatsApp, radio and television channels, and direct community engagement/person to person, including during distributions is ongoing. Other channels, including through the Smart Card/Takamol application and online quizzes, are also being utilized. Direct awareness raising at distributions and door to  door continues, as does engagement at universities, schools, of religious leaders in mosques, and with church networks.
[ 29th October 2020 ]  In Syria, 5,580 laboratory confirmed cases have been reported by the MoH to date: 7 in Ar Raqqa; 16 in Deir Ez Zor; 35 in Al Hasakeh; 90 in Quneitra; 155 in Dar'a; 180 in As Sweida; 188 in Hama; 248 in Tartous; 501 in Lattakia; 585 in Rural Damascus; 705 in Homs; 1,241 in Aleppo; and 1,629 in Damascus. In total, 1,478 new cases have been announced since the last report on 29 September. The MoH has also announced 267 fatalities, representing an increase of 86, in addition to 1,861 recoveries; the CFR is approximately 4.9 per cent.
[ 29th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  Also of note, since schools have reopened, at the time of writing the MoH had reported 303 confirmed COVID 19 cases among school children and teachers/school personnel. Of these, three had sadly died, including one teacher, one school cleaner, and one student. These cases also highlight the challenges of preventing transmission in schools, particularly given the overall country context of overcrowded classrooms, insufficient qualified teaching personnel, and poor/damaged infrastructure.
[ 29th October 2020, Overall Syria ]   In addition, for reasons including community stigma and individual reluctance to go to hospitals, it is further likely significant numbers of people with symptoms are not seeking tests or treatment or are obtaining private services offering home care. In addition to making actual numbers of cases difficult to ascertain, this may increase the risk of late referral of severe/complicated cases for treatment, negatively impacting the long term health prospects and survival of patients.
[ 9th Dec, Northeast Syria ] The 12 October announcement by local authorities in NES indicated internal crossings would be open.
[ 25 MAY 2021, GoS ]  Main course of action if HH member feels ill: 124: Stay home 64: Go to hospital 17: Call a doctor
[ November 2020, NWS ]  Households in nearly all communities experienced challenges in accessing sufficient food, primarily due to the high cost of food items  ( reported in 84% of communities ) .
[ October 29, Raqqa, adherence to preventive measures ]  Commenting on the adoption of the principle of self protection, Faisal al Jassim, a resident of the al Mashlab neighborhood, east of the city's center in Raqqa, says, “We are in a tribal tribal society that is far from the possibility of commitment. Originally, this is one of the great dilemmas that cause an increase in injuries. "
[ Sep 2020,Overall Syria ]  The coronavirus has not spared Aleppo, Syria's main economic centre, but the number of cases and victims remains uncertain because of limited testing and incomplete data provided by the authorities.
[ Sep 2020,Overall Syria ]  According to some estimates, at the height of the pandemic, the pandemic had hundreds of victims, up to 800 a day.
[ October 24, NES, # of cases ]  The Kurdish proxy “Self Administration' of the US occupation, which is controlled by the militias of the “Syrian Democratic Forces   Qasd,' stated that the new cases are 135 males and 103 females, and they were divided into 18 cases in Hasaka, 21 in Qamishli, 31 in Al Malikiyah, 10 in Al Mabada and one in Rmelan, 3 cases in Amuda, 4 cases in Darbasiyah, 44 cases in Ain al Arab, 44 cases in Raqqa, 27 cases in Manbij, 26 cases in Tabqa, and 9 cases in Deir Ezzor.
[ 6th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  The ministry added in a statement to SANA that the total number of Coronavirus infections registered in the country till now has reached at 6102, out of which 2254 ones have recovered while 309 others have passed away.
[ November 5 ,2020 Northwest Syria ]  northwest Syria has five testing labs, 34 community based treatment centers and nine hospitals with 645 available beds, 142 intensive care unit  ( ICU )  beds and 155 ventilators. Six hospitals are dedicated to COVID 19 patients in Idlib, Dr. Yahya Nami from the Health Directorate in Idlib, told Syria Direct.
[ November 5 ,2020 Northwest Syria ]  In two months, the number of COVID 19 cases in the opposition held northwest Syria region increased fifty fold, from 138 confirmed cases on September 8 to 7,500 on November 5.
[ October 29, Raqqa, # of cases increases ]  Medical sources inside the city of Raqqa told Syria TV that there has been an increase in the number of cases of Coronavirus, warning that the situation will get out of control with the approaching winter season, and low temperatures.
[ 4th November 2020, Syria ]  Director of School Health at the regime affiliated Ministry of Education, Dr. Hatoon al Tawashi, announced the increase in the number of positive coronavirus cases in schools, adding that the total number reached 399 cases in all governorates, including 205 students, 194 teachers and administrators, and school health personnel.
[ 7th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  Ministry announced on Saturday evening that 45 new coronavirus cases have been registered in Syria and that 48 cases have recovered while 4 patients have passed away.
[ 13 January 2021, Syria ]  In general, vegetables became more affordable, and imported products and domestic products that depend on imported inputs  ( eg, meat; olive oil )  became less affordable.
[ 7th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  The Ministry added in a statement that this brings the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 6147,of which 2302 cases recovered and 313 passed away.
[ October 29, Raqqa, # of cases increases ]  Yesterday, the "Autonomous Administration", which controls areas in northern and eastern Syria, decided to re impose a ban on movement in its areas of control, after the noticeable increase in the number of infections with the Coronavirus. Where the administration decided to impose a partial curfew from October 30 to November 8.
[ November 5 ,2020 Northwest Syria ]  These include 2,729 recoveries and 42 deaths. The figures are probably higher, given the limited testing capacities, now at around 500 tests per day, according to the latest situation report on northwest Syria from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs  ( OCHA ) .
[ 21st November 2020, Syria ]  As of 21 November, the MoH reported approximately 64,000 tests have been conducted. As detailed above, increased capacity and decentralization of testing, including NES, continues to be a priority.
[ October 29, Raqqa, # of cases increases ]  Doctor Suleiman Shana'a, a specialist in respiratory diseases in the city of Raqqa, tells Syria TV that the Corona virus spreads more in cold climates than in hot weather, because the lower temperatures help it stay for longer days on the surfaces of bodies, and he must expect a steady increase in The numbers of infections during the coming winter season, unless serious preventive measures are taken by the citizens themselves and from the responsible authorities in general.
[ November 5 ,2020 Northwest Syria ]  COVID 19 is an additional burden in northwest Syria's dire humanitarian situation.
[ 26th September 2020, NW Syria ]  This year, Abdulkarim is continuing his education through the “blended learning' method, which combines in classroom education with remote learning. The method, also known as the “emergency schedule,' was implemented in northwestern Syria when the academic year began on September 26.
[ October 29, Raqqa, # of cases increases ]  He said, "They  ( the Autonomous Administration )  basically do not adhere to prevention in their headquarters, institutions and centers in general, so that schools, restaurants, public transport buses and other gathering places are actively working, and two days ago, the Autonomous Administration in Raqqa held a large festival for women in the black stadium that includes halls. Community isolation, without taking any distancing measures or the like. "
[ 29th October 2020, NW Syria ]  The students are divided into two groups, each of which takes three classes per day, following precautionary and distancing measures,' Hassan al Shawa, the Director of Idlib Education Directorate affiliated with the opposition Syrian Interim Government  ( SIG )
[ 29th October 2020, NW Syria ]  Abdulkarim, however, seems lucky compared to many other children in the area who have lost their right to education since the implementation of distance learning policy. As they do not have devices connecting them to their teachers, or because their families are not able to provide them with the internet, “some 25 27 percent of students enrolled at Violet Organization schools aren't attending,
[ 29th October 2020, NW Syria ]  Alongside the weak internet connections and difficulties of sharing a single device among multiple students, there is “the cut off of visual communication between a teacher and students.
[ 29th October 2020, NW Syria ]  With both distance learning and blended learning, online education happens through groups on WhatsApp, and “these groups can't be called classrooms,
[ Sep 2020,Overall Syria ]  Despite the lack of accurate data, the proportion of priests affected by the coronavirus can be projected onto the population in order to understand the magnitude of the pandemic.
[ December 01, NWS, Lack of personnel ]  Between March 2011 and February 2020 there were 595 attacks on at least 350 separate facilities and the killing of 923 healthcare workers
Health Ministry announced on Sunday that 68 new Coronavirus cases were registered in Syria, and 55 patients have recovered while 4 others have passed away.
Informed sources confirmed to Sowt Al Asima that more than 10 infections were recorded among students in schools in the Damascus countryside during the first week of school.
[ 30 March 2021, GoS ]  The Health Ministry announced on Monday that 140 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Syria, while 115 coronavirus patients recovered, and 8 others passed away.
[ November 2020, NWS ]  November findings show that it has become increasingly challenging for households to meet their basic needs. Knock on effects of COVID 19 measures prevented households from accessing livelihoods. For example, daily waged labour, which was the most commonly reported source of income for households, was disrupted.
[ 23rd December 2020, NW Syria ]  The most frequently reported first sources of income were unskilled  ( agricultural and non agricultural )  and skilled labour  ( 49.6% of households collectively ) .
[ November 2020, NW Syria ]  A spike in new infections and deaths due to coronavirus in northwestern Syria meant that the casualty figures recorded in November were three times those documented the previous month, with the Early Warning Alert and Response Network  ( EWARN )  announcing that 11,264 infections and 192 deaths had been documented for November.
[ November 2020, NWS ]  November saw a surge in COVID 19 cases. As of 18 November, some 13,179 cases were confirmed in NWSc , which marks an 80% increase from October.d However, limited testing capacity suggests that many cases remain undetected.
[ 10th November, NW Syria ]  Now with the lockdown planned for a week, all places where crowds gather like public markets, universities and schools are closed and small local grocery stores, pharmacies and clinics remain open.
[ November 2020, NWS ]  Moreover, health resources are increasingly strained. In fact, a lack of medicines at health facilities and shortage of health staff were reported in 49% and 13% of communities reporting on barriers to healthcare, respectively.
[ 10th November, NW Syria ]  In the overcrowded camps, the risk of COVID 19 transmission is high and self isolation is difficult, if not impossible. Regular hand washing is also a challenge, as many people rely on water collected from shared tanks.
[ November 2020, NWS ]  Households also experienced difficulties in following hygiene recommendations as soap was reportedly unaffordable for the majority of people in 27% of communities
[ 10th November, NW Syria ]   After years of conflict, the healthcare system in northwest Syria is also facing challenges coping with the COVID 19 outbreak. There are just nine dedicated COVID 19 hospitals for a population of around four million, plus 36 isolation and treatment centres providing basic care for patients with mild symptoms.
[ 14th nov 2020, Overall Syria ]  Nearly eight months into the COVID 19 pandemic, the Syrian government is failing to adequately protect its health workers, still lacks a robust response to the spread of the disease, and is refusing to provide transparent and consistent information about the country's COVID 19 outbreak
[ 14th nov 2020, Overall Syria ]   Thousands of lives, including those of health workers, continue to be at risk with no transparent and effective information, or testing.
[ 14th nov 2020, Overall Syria ]  Now, the government's lack of transparency about the scale of the COVID 19 outbreak, its inadequate distribution of personal protective equipment, and lack of testing is further endangering health workers and the general population,' said Diana Semaan, Amnesty International's Syria researcher.
[ 14th nov 2020, Overall Syria ]  As a matter of urgency, the Syrian government must ensure that health workers looking after COVID 19 patients are protected with adequate PPE and that they receive training on how to use this equipment
[ 14th nov 2020, Overall Syria ]  According to the World Health Organization, only 50% of hospitals across Syria are fully functioning, 25% are partially functioning due to a shortage of staff, equipment, medicines or damage to hospital buildings, while the remaining 25% are not functioning at all.
[ 14th nov 2020, Overall Syria ]  In the north east, the UN reported that cases are believed to be higher than 4,164 due to significant gaps in detection and testing capacity.
[ 3rd November, NW Syria ]  The 3rd November recorded the highest number of cases so far, with 524 in a single day. By 4th November, the cases of COVID 19 had reached 7,059 cases.The three labs in the area currently processing tests are mostly doing less than 1,000 tests a day in total
[ 10th November, NW Syria ]  Schools across northwest Syria had to take measures to reduce the risks of transmission: students were asked to wear face masks, which can be bought from local pharmacies for one Turkish lira, but this is out of the reach of many parents.
[ 12 Dec 2020,Overall Syria ]  Children are also facing challenges with school, many which have opened and closed and opened again during the pandemic. From primary school children to university students, students are not equipped to follow lessons from home and are falling further behind in their studies.
[ 12 Dec 2020,Overall Syria ]  The costs of primary goods continue to exceed purchasing power, and Syrian families are experiencing unimaginable economic stress.
[ 24 Oct 2020 ]   [ NWS ]  New cases: 107 | Total cases: 4082 | New tests: 360 | Total tests: 21498 | New recoveries: 84 | Total recoveries: 1630 | Total active cases: 2416 | New deaths: 0 | Total deaths: 21
[ 21 Oct 2020 ]   [ NWS ]  New cases: 308 | Total cases: 3498 | New tests: 846 | Total tests: 19763 | New recoveries: 80 | Total recoveries: 1451 | Total active cases: 2015 | New deaths: 0 | Total deaths: 21
[ 6 Nov 2020 ]   [ NWS ]  New cases: 311 | Total cases: 8139 | New tests: 760 | Total tests: 32713 | New recoveries: 158 | Total recoveries: 3040 | Total active cases: 5025 | New deaths: 0 | Total deaths: 42
[ October, overall syria ]  Between September and October 2020, the prices of all monitored items decreased except for bleach that increased by two percent m o m to reach SYP 1,074/litre and hand gel that increase by one percent to reach SYP 936/50 m
[ February 3, GoS ]  According to a statement to the People's Assembly on 3 February by the Minister of Oil in the Syrian government, engineer Bassam Tohme, 60 percent of the population have not received their allocations from heating oil yet, due to the conditions imposed by the siege and the coercive economic measures imposed on the Syrian people, and the shortages of oil products.'
[ 23rd December, Northeast Syria ]  This is in addition to approximately 99,109 IDPs and refugees in NES, most of whom were displaced prior to October, living in four camps and two informal sites. A further estimated 27,625 people live in 58 collective shelters throughout other governorates.
[ 31 March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Expected shipments of the Covid 19 vaccine to Syria have been postponed until an unspecified date, according to the World Health Organisation's Syria office, opposition news website Enab Baladi reported.
[ 4 April 2021, Overall Syria ]  Poor shelter conditions increase protection and public health risks, particularly when combined with overcrowding and inadequate access to water, sanitation/waste disposal and health services, enabling the spread of respiratory and epidemic prone diseases, including COVID 19.
[ 3 April 2021, GoS ]  The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the regime announced the suspension of working hours in public and private universities and institutes for a period of two weeks, starting from the fourth of April until the 17th of April, as a "precautionary measure" in the face of the Corona virus.
[ 13 Sep 2020 ]   [ Afrin ]  "The Olive Branch Education Directorate" in Afrin region announced the start of the educational process for the rest of the classes that are delayed in schools, as the return to schools began gradually since September 13 due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus while ensuring that the necessary preventive measures are taken.
[ 26 Sep 2020 ]   [ Idlib ]  The Directorate of Education, affiliated to the Salvation Government in Idlib Governorate, announced the start of the school year for all educational stages on September 26, while ensuring that the necessary preventive measures are taken
[ 18th Dec 2020 7th Jan 2021 ]  Rural Damascus has been experiencing an unprecedented water crisis leading to prolonged water cuts in and around the Syrian capital.
Men reported hesitations to self identify and seek care when showing COVID 19 symptoms out of feelings of shame, but more importantly the need to provide an income for the family
Women reported to tend to hide symptoms of common colds or  ( most likely )  regular flu due to fear of being exposed in the community.
In an environment of rapidly increasing numbers of confirmed COVID 19 casesin NWS, with specific concerns about a rise in cases in overcrowded living settings of IDPs – currently 1.4 Million IDPs are reported to live in IDP sites according to the CCCM Cluster
Women participants reported to be under pressure due to community expectations to protect their family members, including children and older people, from COVID 19; an infection would be directly ascribed to a lack of cleanliness of the house and surroundings for which women are deemed to be responsible.
Moreover, men reported to feel responsible for the safety of the family and therefore indicated that many men, especially those living in IDP sites which are often deemed insecure, would prioritize staying with the family over entering quarantine  ( with some participants suggesting that this would even impact seeking longer term healthcare )