In recent weeks, Qatar has witnessed an escalation in the number of daily COVID-19 cases.

Health officials pointed out that the UK variant of the COVID-19 virus has significantly contributed to the rising numbers.

As the country deals with the concerning situation, some earlier restrictions to contain the spread of COVID-19 have been reinforced.

Based on the Cabinet's decision, from today (April 2, 2021), private health facilities will no longer provide medical services, unless for emergency cases. However, they can offer some of their medical services through modern means of communication.

Starting from Sunday, April 4, 2021, all in-person classes in public and private schools, preschools and universities will be suspended and students will move to the distance learning model, according to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

To manage the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) announced that Al Wakra Hospital will now be used as a COVID-19 facility.

Al Wakra Hospital becomes the 7^th HMC facility designated for the care of COVID-19 patients.

Closure of Al Wakra Emergency Department from midnight, Friday 2 April.
As part of the healthcare sector’s measures to boost hospital capacity and meet increasing demand due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases, Al Wakra Hospital has been designated as a facility to care pic.twitter.com/IpCJ3Gyo3O

— مؤسسة حمد الطبية (@HMC_Qatar) April 1, 2021

The hospital’s emergency department has been closed, as of midnight Thursday.

Residents of Al Wakra and surrounding areas who require urgent, emergency services must select one of the following alternatives:

• For urgent but non-life-threatening conditions call HMCs Urgent Consultation Service on 16000 from 7 am to 3 pm, seven days a week.
• For life-threatening medical emergencies requiring immediate transfer to an emergency department call 999.
• Hamad General Hospitals Trauma and Emergency Department in Doha remains fully operational 24/7 for serious medical emergencies.
• Visit one of the eight Urgent Care Centers across Qatar run by Primary Health Care Corporation providing care for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions.

Chief Medical Officer at HMC Dr Abdulla Al Ansari said that the decision to designate Al Wakra Hospital as a COVID-19 facility will boost the capacity of the health system to manage COVID-19 patients.

The decision is part of a strategy to meet any future rise in the number of hospital admissions due to COVID-19.

Al Wakra Hospital will add 400 beds and 150 Intensive Care Unit beds in case they are needed, the senior health official mentioned.

He also pointed out that the increase in COVID-19 cases comes together with an increase in hospitalization with mild to severe cases.

Presently, there are more than 2050 COVID-19 patients receiving treatment at HMC facilities, Dr Al Ansari said, adding that these include 350 patients in the ICU.

The cases are more severe in the second COVID-19 wave in comparison to the first one, he said.

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Cover Image Credit and Source: HMC