COVID-19: regional perspectives from oncology centers in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Turkey

The COVID-19 pandemic has been pushing governments and healthcare systems to their limits in both high and low resources settings. As of 29 April 2020, the total confirmed COVID-19 cases reached beyond 3 million, and 207,973 deaths have been reported worldwide [1]. In the Levant, where political conflict and economic crises are endemic, healthcare systems and supply chains are inherently fragile. For years, Syria and Iraq have been involved in active conflict; Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey have subsequently accommodated large numbers of refugees and migrants. Government imposed lockdowns to contain the spread of the virus have been rapidly implemented, however...