Since the last edition (March 21-26) and the March 11 of the Middle East Coronavirus Daily Update (MECDU) we have seen major rises in the number of cases. Turkey and Sudan have seen their first cases on March 11 and 13 respectively. We now have new cases in Libya and regional numbers are growing.
March 27
Israel says 500 IDF troops will help police to block roads beginning on March 29.
Turkey: New measures announced in Turkey.
Iraq: Tahhrir Square in #Baghdad is empty today, as #CoronavirusPandemic has pushed protesters to avoid the square & only few protesters remained in the square to protect it from being stormed by security forces. This is the 1st time #IraqProtests stops since Oct 25.
Mauritania fears outbreak -Al Ain
Turkey announces restrictions on weekend outdoor leisure activities amid coronavirus outbreak
Egypt: WHO optimistic on Egypt's fight against virus.
Syria may be hiding cases - The National; 49 Syrian Organizations Condemn #Turkey’s Intentional Interruption of Water in Northeastern #Syria.
Photos of Middle East lockdowns
Gaza: "Fears mount that Gaza's fragile health system, which has been decimated by Israel's blockade, will struggle to contain the coronavirus in one of the world's most densely populated territories" writes Asmaa Tayeh
March 28
Israel’s Ambassador to Germany recovers from coronavirus; 3,460 cases, 12 deaths.
Head of the Epidemiology Committee of Iran's Coronavirus Combat Taskforce say coronavirus was spreading in Iran since January 20, a month before legislative elections were held. Former Iranian President Muhammad Khatami is also positive to Corona Muhammad Raha Khatami, 61
Iraq. Lahur Talabany " as I met with Governor Dr. Heval, Mayor Awat Muhammad, Head of #Slemani Health Directorate Dr. Sabah & our security forces, I expressed my heartfelt gratitude to them & their colleagues for their tireless work in containing #COVID19 & keeping us safe."
Turkey also received defective testing kits from China.
Libya: US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland: Cessation of hostilities is absolutely necessary to give public health authorities across Libya the opportunity to contain the outbreak of the Coronavirus
UAE: Mohammed Bin Zayed "discussed with Syrian President Bashar Alassad updates on COVID-19. I assured him of the support of the UAE and its willingness to help the Syrian people. Humanitarian solidarity during trying times supersedes all matters, and Syria and her people will not stand alone."
March 29
Sheikh Mohammed in UAE launched drive thru testing. More than 100 new cases in UAE. A reporter tries it out.
Saudi Arabia extends flight ban. Saudi curfew.
Syria: Prison break attempt by ISIS.
March 30
Iraq KRG security forces out on patrol in rain.
Iran: Unrest continues in Iranian prisons. Iran continues to call for end of sanctions.
Israel: 500 soldiers to help police patrol. Mossad brought 10 million masks to Israel.
March 31
Iraqi doctors fear health care collapse.
Somaliland first case.
April 1
Israel police clash with Haredim in Beit Shemesh, shut down pre-school in Jisr al-Zarqa.
Saudi Arabia: Grand Mosque re-opens to up to 50 at a time.
Movement restricted in Bnei Barak.
Jordan health minister praised.
Riots in Jaffa.
April 2
Israel: Israel Health Minister has coronavirus. IDF to evacuate elderly from Bnei Barak.
New charts released on various "curves" in region.
Iraq: Sadr blames homosexuality for virus. Sadr supporters prevent curfew in Iraq.
UAE: Emirates to re-start flights.
April 5
Oman prepares for post-coronavirus era for tourism.
April 8
Passover with strict lockdowns in Israel.
Controversy in Turkey over lockdowns in Istanbul.
WHO sends 3,000 test kits via Jordan, "for use by medical teams in the Palestinian healthcare system in the region".
IDF distributed 535,531 food packages to civilians today for the Passover holiday.
Health Ministry's statement yesterday: "The total number of #coronavirus cases registered in Syria until today [Tuesday, 7th April] reached 19, three of them have recovered while two cases died."
April 9
New testing drive-thrus in UAE.
April 10
Jordan: Life won't return to normal until June.
Iraqi MP says US soldiers in Iraq have coronavirus.
April 12
Deserted eastern in Jerusalem
April 13
Turkey's interior minister resigns and his resignations is not accepted
April 14
Iraq suspends Reuters for coronavirus reports
April 15
Iran arrests dissident for coronavirus posts
Dubai airport checks as 40,000 seek to return to Pakistan
Israel details aid to Arab minority at locations across Israel, 180,000 deliveries of food and meetings in Deir al-Asad and Shefa'Amr, 5,000 masks for Jordan.
Bahrain sentences two for violating quarantine.
April 16
New numbers from MECRA for April 16.
767,000 tested in UAE in total.
April 17