18 January 2021 Last Updated: 2:00 p.m. CURRENT EVENTS IN LIGHT OF COVID-19

The Palestinian Association for Empowerment and Local Development - REFORM

https://www.facebook.com/mohps/photos/pcb.3479116775547509/3479113222214531 As the highly contagious Coronavirus, COVID-19, is affecting 219 countries and territories around the world and 2 international conveyances, Palestine attempts to contain a local outbreak that has effectively halted daily life and led to tens of thousands of people entering quarantine.1

Currently, the Palestinian Ministry of Health stated that there is currently 11,874 people placed in quarantine, both at home and at designated facilities. Although 961,601 individuals in the and have been tested for COVID-19, there remains a deficiency in the amount of testing kits, as there is an increase in the number of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.2

Global Level3

# of COVID-19 Cases # of Recoveries # of Deaths # of Currently Infected Patients 95,555,805 68,272,724 2,041,297 25,241,784

1https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ 2http://www.corona.ps 3https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ Local Level4 Location # of COVID-19 # of # of Deaths # of Currently Cases Recoveries Infected Patients West Bank 123,711 116,790 1,402 5,519 (including Including 19,184 in (17,998) (163) (1,023) ) Jerusalem Gaza Strip 48,028 41,283 487 6,258 Today, 18.01.2021 the Palestinian Minister of Health, Dr. Mai Al-Kela, announced that there are 524 new people who have COVID-19, bringing the total cases to 171,739. Since Thursday, 14.01.2021, there has been an overall increase of 2,351 cases in Palestine. The Ministry further indicated that there are a total of 158,073 recoveries and 1,889 deaths, while 11,777 remain active across the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, including occupied Jerusalem. Sources: The Palestinian Ministry of Health’s Website, Ma’an News Agency and Wafa News Agency

Today, the Palestinian Prime Minister, Dr. Mohammad Shtayyeh, indicated in a press conference that the government’s imposed preventive measures have led to a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases in Palestine. He further added: “The COVID-19 vaccinations that we have requested will arrive soon.” Sources: The Palestinian Prime Minister’s Website and Wafa News Agency

Yesterday, 17.01.2021, the Palestinian Ministry of Health received medical supplies worth 150,000 Euros from Médecins du Monde – France in order to support the Ministry’s efforts in combating the COVID-19 outbreak in Palestine. Sources: The Palestinian Ministry of Health’s Website, Wafa News Agency and Ma’an News Agency

Yesterday, the Palestinian Society Prisoner’s Club stated that 3 Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli prison of Asqalan took the COVID-19 vaccine, as they suffer from cancer and difficult health conditions. The Prisoner’s Club confirmed that the Israeli Prison Service began to administer the vaccine to prisoners, after many recent demands. Sources: The Palestinian Ministry of Health’s Website, Wafa News Agency and Wattan News Agency

On Saturday, 16.01.2021, the Palestinian Prime Minister, Dr. Mohammad Shtayyeh, opened the Red Crescent hospital in the Governorate of , which is designated for the treatment of those who have COVID-19 in the northern Governorates. Dr. Shtayyeh stated: “In the name of President , we are opening this hospital, and we are ready, starting tomorrow, to provide what the hospital needs.” He further added: “All these efforts come as part of improving the provision of health services and increasing the efficiency of services in the public health sector.” Sources: The Palestinian Prime Minister’s Website, the Palestinian Ministry of Health’s Website and Wafa News Agency 4https://www.corona.ps/details Several attacks and arrests by the Israeli occupying forces took place across Palestine:

1. Today, 11 Palestinian men were arrested from several Governorates across the West Bank, including: Ramallah and Al-Bireh, Bethlehem and , in addition to occupied Jerusalem. Sources: Wafa News Agency and Raya News Network

2. Today, agricultural lands, belonging to Palestinians, were bulldozed in the east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip. Sources: Wafa News Agency and Ma’an News Agency

3. Today, a number of settlers invaded the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem. Sources: Raya News Network and Al-Hadath Newspaper

4. Yesterday, notices were issued for the demolition of a mosque and primary school in Masafer Yatta, south of the Hebron Governorate. Sources: Wattan News Agency and Ajyal Radio Network

https://images.wafa.ps/photo.aspx?id=196757

5. Yesterday, 11 kiosks were demolished in the village of Anin, west of the Jenin Governorate. Sources: Wafa News Agency and Al-Quds Newspaper

6. Yesterday, a 11-year-old Palestinian girl was injured and transferred to a hospital, after settlers attacked her home in the village of Madama, south of the . Sources: Wafa News Agency and Ajyal Radio Network

7. Yesterday, a 49-year-old Palestinian man and his 42-year-old wife were arrested from the town of Jabal Al-Mukaber, in occupied Jerusalem. Sources: Wafa News Agency and Raya News Network On Friday, 15.01.2021, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a presidential decree determining the date of general elections in three stages. According to the decree, legislative elections will be held on 22.05.2021 and presidential elections will be held on 31.07.2021. Sources: Wafa News Agency, Wattan News Agency and Ma’an News Agency

On Saturday, 16.01.2021, the European Union welcomed a promise by Palestinian leaders to hold their first elections in 15 years. Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated: “This is a welcome development as participative, representative and accountable democratic institutions are key for Palestinian self-determination and state-building.” He further added: “The EU has in the past years consistently supported and funded the work of the Central Elections Commission in order to prepare for holding free, fair and inclusive elections for all Palestinians. The EU stands ready to engage with relevant actors to support the electoral process. The EU also calls on Israeli authorities to facilitate the holding of elections across all the Palestinian territory. Sources: Wafa News Agency and Raya New Network

Today, the Israeli Ministry of Health confirmed that total number of COVID-19 cases is 552,415, of which 4,005 died and 467,790 recovered. According to the Health Ministry’s statistics, of the 80,620 active cases in Israel, 1,201 are in critical condition. Sources: Ma’an News Agency and i24 News Agency Miscellaneous: • According to the incoming CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the US death toll from the pandemic is expected to reach 500,000 by mid-February. • Mass immunization programs using Chinese firm Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine are underway in Indonesia and Turkey, despite questions over its effectiveness. • Amid a devastating resurgence of the Coronavirus in parts of Brazil, federal health officials have finally voted to authorize two vaccines for emergency use. • South Korea's president says he believes that it will have complete "herd immunity" by November. • According to Germany’s disease control agency, the Robert Koch Institute, Germany has administered Coronavirus vaccine doses to at least 1,048,160 people.

Following are links of useful resources for information and updates on COVID-19: 1. http://www.corona.ps/details 2. https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses 3. https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1 4. https://www.moh.gov.ps/portal/en/

If you would like more information, please contact the World Health Organization through WhatsApp on: +41798931892.