The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) on Thursday reported 209 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (Covid-19), of which 174 were from community cases and 35 from travellers returning from abroad who are subject to quarantine.
The MoPH also recorded 167 recoveries from the virus during the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases that recovered in Qatar to 143,261. All new cases have been introduced to isolation and are receiving necessary healthcare according to their health status.
Measures to tackle Covid-19 in Qatar have succeeded in flattening the curve and limiting the spread of the virus and the number of new daily cases and hospital admissions is continuing to decline each week. Qatar’s proactive and extensive testing of suspected cases has enabled the authorities to identify a high number of positive cases in the community. Qatar has one of the lowest Covid-19 death rates in the world. This is a result of:
1- Very high quality of care provided thorough the public healthcare sector for Covid-19 patients.
2- Qatar’s young population.
3- Proactive testing to identify cases early.
4- Expanding hospital capacity, especially intensive care, to ensure all patients receive the medical care they need.
5- Protecting the elderly and those with chronic diseases.
Even though restrictions are being lifted, and numbers are declining, this does not mean that the Covid-19 pandemic is finished in Qatar. People continue to be admitted with moderate to severe Covid-19 symptoms. Unless we follow all precautionary measures, we may experience a second wave of the virus and see numbers increasing. There are already signs of this happening in other countries around the world.
Avoid close contact with others, crowded places and confined-closed spaces where other people congregate.
Now more than ever, we must be careful and protect the most vulnerable.
While the restrictions of Covid-19 are gradually being lifted in Qatar, it is important for everyone to play their role in controlling the virus by following precautionary measures:
– Adherence to physical distancing.
– Wearing a face mask.
– Washing hands regularly.
Most importantly, it is vital that we continue to protect the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions. When spending time at home with elderly family members or those with chronic diseases, ensure you wash your hands regularly, wear a mask and maintain social and physical distancing.
Anyone suffering from Covid-19 symptoms should either contact 16000 helpline or go directly to one of the designated health centers to undergo the necessary checks. This is important as the earlier the disease is detected the easier it will be to receive the right treatment and recover from it. The MoPH has urged people to visit its website for regular updates and new information.
Last updated: January 14 2021 07:25 PM
