Health Directorate and District Council in Tel Tamr in North and East Syria discuss ways of reducing spread of coronavirus as cases skyrocket

TEL TAMR, Syria — The Tel Tamr Health Directorate, with the presence of displaced Rish Ayno (Ras al-Ayn) health officials, met with the District Council of Tel Tamr to discuss ways to reduce the spread of the coronavirus in the town.

Cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that emerged in 2019, have skyrocketed in the North and East Syria, causing the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) that governs the region to impose total lockdowns in three cities — Zalin (Qamishli), Hasakah, and Raqqa — and partial lockdowns elsewhere starting 9 April.

Director of Martyr Lykrin Hospital in Tel Tamr Dr. Hassan Amin pointed out during the discussion that characteristics of the virus have changed and transmission has increased. The danger posed by the new generation of the virus cannot be underestimated, said Dr. Amin.

Dr. Amin also stated that they will work to hold meetings with members of other DAA institutions and local communes to educate them and urge them not to hold general meetings without strictly adhering to safeguards. Trainings for medical staff are also planned, as are inspections of marketplaces to ensure they remain closed to the public.

The Co-Chairship of the Executive Council of Euphrates Region, the DAA administrative region which includes Kobane and Ayn Issa, issued a statement, saying, “On the basis of proposals made by the Crisis Cell in Euphrates Region, it was decided to institute a lockdown in areas of the Region including the prevention of inter-Regional movement, the closure of public facilities, the suspension of work in DAA institutions, and their limitations to the necessary offices.”

Excluded from the ban are institutions whose nature of work is imperative to the health and safety of the people of the Region.