COVID-19 coronavirus disease continues regionally and globally. As of September 5, 2020, the overall cumulative occurrence reached 26,468,031 reported instances and 871,166 deaths related to a fatality rate (CFR) of 3. 3%. Meanwhile, the 22 countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) reported a total of 1,992,281 cases, which account for about 7. 5% of the global count, with 5,2630 related deaths (CFR 2. 6%). Most countries in the Region are in the network transmission phase.
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Since the beginning of the epidemic, the country with the total number of cases in the Region has been the Islamic Republic of Iran (384,666 cases; 19. 3% of the region in general), followed by Saudi Arabia (319,932; 16%) Pakistan (298,509; 15%). The Islamic Republic of Iran also reported the total number of related deaths (22,154; CFR 5. 8%), followed by Iraq (7,422; CFR 2. 9%) Pakistan (6,342; CFR 2. 1%). CFRs were reported through Yemen (28. 8%), followed by Sudan (6. 2%), while lower CFRs were recorded through Qatar (0. 2%) followed by Bahrain (0. 4%).
During epidemiological week 36, the Region reported a 5. 3% increase in instances compared to last week (92,264 instances versus 87,639 instances). In contrast, 1. 5% relief was observed for related deaths (2241 deaths vs. 2274 deaths The weekly trend consistent with capita remained strong compared to last week (260 / 100,000).
Lebanon, Tunisia and Jordan reported a relative increase in COVID-19 activity. The number of cases in Lebanon increased from 13,423 to 17,094 (27% more than last week), in Tunisia from 3,572 to 4,542 (a 27% more) Jordan from 1893 to 2353 (24% more) Occupied Palestinian territory recorded the largest relative accumulation of deaths (21%), followed by Morocco and Syria (20% each).
In terms of controls, a total of 28,314,061 laboratory PCR controls have been carried out since the start of the epidemic in the Region, adding 1906093 controls at week 36, representing an increase of 1% over the past week (1883,426). PCR controls were reported in the United Arab Emirates (7. 4 million), followed by Saudi Arabia (5. 3 million) and the Islamic Republic of Iran (3. 3 million). The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have the highest rate of checks (75,711 / 100,000 and 68,310 / 100,000, respectively). The average positivity rate for the Region is 6. 7%. WHO recommends a positivity rate of around 3 to 12% as a general benchmark for sufficiently good verification, which has been achieved in most countries in the Region.
Supporting in the region
The regional incident control team continues to coordinate the reaction and technical supply to countries and partners in the Region in the areas of coordination and association, surveillance, laboratory capacity, clinical control, infection prevention and control, threat communication, access issues under the International Health Regulations (2005), research, fitness system, essential fitness facilities and others. This week’s activities included: Organizing the tenth COVID-19 Laboratory Practice Community webinar with a focus on SARS-CoV-2 sequencing to inform public fitness measures. Provide technical information to national influenza centers to adapt laboratory testing algorithms for influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory pathogens using multiplex and monoplex assays. Conclusion of a three-week project in Pakistan to strengthen infection prevention and control measures at the national and facility levels. Published live recommendation on “Corticosteroids for COVID-19”. Update of the provisional address on “Prevention and control of infections for the safe control of a corpse in the context of COVID-19”.
Distributed through the APO Group on behalf of the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.
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