Two schools were closed earlier this week in Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarem province, in the occupied West Bank, following a number of confirmed coronavirus cases.

Director of the local popular committee Taha Irani said the Boys’ School along with UNRWA’s Girls’ School have shut their doors for 48 hours following reports of confirmed coronavirus infections at the Girls’ School.

The decision comes in line with the anti-coronavirus protocol. Disinfection drives have seen the day to sterilize the two schools.

At least 50 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Nour Sham camp over the past few days.

Nour Shams camp is located in the northern part of the West Bank and is roughly three kilometres east of Tulkarm City. The first refugees of the camp took shelter in the Jenin area until a snowstorm destroyed their tents and forced them to relocate to the Tulkarm area. From this incident, Nour Shams camp was established in 1952.

The economic situation in the camp is characterized by high levels of unemployment due to the absence of work opportunities in the area. Overcrowding is another issue in Nour Shams camp, in addition to the lack of activities for children and youth.

An open sewerage channel that runs from Nablus to Tulkarm borders the camp. In winter, the sewage flow swells due to rainwater. Subsequent floods cause damage and health hazards.