As nearby Bahrain and Kuwait have reported the first cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID19), Qatar's Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has confirmed it is doing all it can to keep the country virus-free.

Just two days back, the Ministry reiterated that all precautionary measures have been in place to keep the virus at bay. It also said, the country's health authorities are fully prepared to manage and treat any patient, if any case is detected. 

There are currently no cases of the virus in Qatar, MoPH assured the public.

In the wake of the virus spreading globally and its emergence in the region, the Ministry said it is taking additional measures to detect, monitor and isolate any suspected cases.

وزارة الصحة العامة تتخذ إجراءات إضافية بشأن #فيروس_كورونا_المستجدّ ( #كوفيد_19).. اقرأ المزيد ​​@ https://t.co/BvyNJmcsYh#قطر #الدوحة #Qatar #Doha #COVID19

— وزارة الصحة العامة (@MOPHQatar) February 24, 2020

Health authorities are on high alert while the level of preparedness in fighting the transmission of the virus in hospitals and health centers has been raised.

Moreover, the Ministry said it is coordinating with the relevant authorities in countries where the cases have been reported to thoroughly check all travelers from these countries.

Some residential buildings equipped with required amenities have been allocated by the Ministry to host individuals who meet the quarantine standards, the Ministry said.

Travelers who show fever and respiratory symptoms will be transferred to Hamad Medical Corporation's Communicable Disease Center, where the necessary checks will be performed, followed by the appropriate treatment.

On a related note, Qatar Airways announced that all incoming passengers from Iran and South Korea whose final destination is Doha and are showing no symptoms of the virus will be asked to stay in home isolation or a quarantine facility for 14 days.

"Passengers arriving from those countries who are showing symptoms will be transferred to the Communicable Disease Centre at the Hamad Medical Corporation," the airline stated.

Qatari authorities including the MoPH and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have earlier called on citizens and residents of Qatar to avoid unnecessary travel to China and other countries where the virus has been found including South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Iran, among others.

They further advised to "avoid close contact with animals in the infected areas or the persons who show any of the related symptoms and wash hands at regular intervals with soap and water."

In case of any related reports, the public can contact the relevant team at the 24/7 hotlines: 66740951 or 66740948.

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Cover Image Credit: REUTERS/Essam al-Sudani