Damascus: August 27, 2020 – WHO confirmed today the first COVID-19 case among residents in Syria’s Al Hol camp. The female patient is 29 years old and in stable condition. She is being treated in an isolation area in Phase 7 of the camp, where a national NGO, in partnership with WHO, is providing case management support.

Health workers have already begun contact tracing and will be monitoring all close contacts for COVID-19 symptoms. WHO is collaborating with camp authorities and partners to engage communities, reinforcing messages about measures that they can take to protect themselves.  

A lockdown will also be imposed in Phase 7 for the next 14 days.

WHO continues to monitor the situation in Al Hol camp and has mobilized 6 mobile teams in 6 locations to scale up health activities  in the camp. We have also established sub-committees that look into all aspects of COVID-19 response and will meet daily to monitor the situation and provide the appropriate technical support to health partners.

For further information, please contact:

Dr Akjemal Magtymova
WHO Representative, Syria