Last December, the Chinese authorities announced the spread of a new type of viruses known as ‘Corona’ (or COVID-19). Wuhan was the center of the coronavirus outbreak. More than 3,000 died and 80,000 were infected. 

            The virus, however, has gone beyond China and spread around the world. The oubreak resulted in a worldwide death toll of 15,000 people with 376,000 infected according to the WHO. Several advanced countries such as Italy, Spain and the USA failed to control the virus, and recorded high death rates. 

The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced forming an emergency committee to fight the virus. It put all arrivals in quarantine and prevented their contact with their families after it had first approved house quarantines.

On March 22^nd at dawn, the MoH announced two cases to be infected with the virus. The two patients came from Pakistan. The Ministry also declared isolating them and offering them the necessary medical services. Later, the government decided to take extra measures and shut down all restaurants, cafes and mosques. 

            Regarding the equipment of quarantines, the government also announced opening 14 health centers for mandatory quarantine for all arrivals to the Strip. It is also working on establishing 1,000 rooms specifically equipped for such circumstances in the north and south of the Strip.

Insight of the Situation

• It is clear that the virus is spreading very fast and is a serious challenge to the universal health system, the Gaza Strip included.
• The Strip has been generally suffering from a deficit in the health sector (about 45% according to the MoH) and shortage in medicines since 2007 i.e. Hamas’ ruling and the occupation’s siege on the Strip. Gaza’s hospitals have a total of about 70 beds only in ICUs.
• The government in Gaza, along with the factions, is working tirelessly to control the virus. It established operation rooms in several areas and follows up closely with the arrivals. In addition, it offers care to all incomers and tries to compensate the families affected by the imposed protective measures. The government in Gaza, led by Hamas, has been responsible for managing the Strip since 2007.
• The government and security forces are working within an emergency plan to raise the awareness of the people of Gaza and prepare them to fight the virus. In addition, they are following up with any rumors or monopoly attempts and are holding non-compliant citizens accountable.
• The public are taking the situation averagely seriously, but not to the needed level. This could negatively affect the health sector and help spread the virus should they remain the same.

Possible Scenarios:

Based on the abovementioned, the following are the possible scenarios for what is to come:

1. The Palestinian government and MoH continue to keep everything under control, prevent the virus from spreading in the Strip, and impose more protective measures against the virus.
2. The number of infected rises, the Strip goes under lockdown, and daily life is suspended entirely with continuous follow-ups by the competent authorities.
3. The virus could spread uncontrollably and the health system would fall apart without being able to help the big number of infected hence the death toll would rise.

 Jamie McGoldrick, UN humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, expressed his worrisome and fear due to the overcrowdedness in the Strip.

The first scenario is the one most likely to realize as the current measures taken by the government are very strict and the medical crews are working around the clock to prevent the virus from breaking out among the people. Nevertheless, anything is possible.