The spread of COVID-19 is limited to only certain pockets in Qatar, a top official at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has said.

With continued cooperation from the public, particularly by avoiding large gatherings, the rate of infection in the country can be brought under good control, the official highlighted.

Speaking to Qatar TV yesterday, Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Hamad Al Thani, the Director of the Public Health Department at MoPH said, people must comply with the recommendations of the Ministry.

He stressed “maintaining physical distancing, wearing face masks and washing hands regularly until we find an effective and adequate vaccine.”

Sheikh Dr Mohamed said people should avoid large gatherings. “At social gatherings, the number should be kept to the minimum, for instance, 10 persons, because this minimizes the chances of spreading infection, and in case of some person got infected it would be easier to trace the chain of infection rather than in the case of large gatherings," he explained.

He also shed light on a recent study conducted by MoPH to collect surface, air, and wastewater samples and test for the presence of the virus.

“It was found that the virus may be present in the air, but in very small proportions. It is unlikely to cause infection and we reassure people on that,” the MoPH official said.

He further mentioned that the Ministry in cooperation with the Public Works Authority and the Municipality has studied samples from the sewage network in the potential spots of virus presence.

The testing focuses on public places and areas of concentration, not private houses, he said.

"We found the virus on different surfaces, but it was not clear conclusively if it was contagious or not,” Sheikh Dr Mohamed said.

“There are companies claiming they have sterilized all surfaces. However, when we took samples, we found the virus. So, we recommend better sterilization, especially in health and educational facilities, the airport and crowded places,” he highlighted.

“The most dangerous thing we have found that if someone gets the infection from his workplace or from a supermarket, he would transmit disease to most of his family members,” the official added.

Talking about the vaccine for COVID-19, Sheikh Dr Mohamed said Qatar has been in communication with several agencies to reserve quantities of vaccines as soon as they are available.

He mentioned that most vulnerable people will be given priority once the vaccine has been secured by the country.

Meanwhile, health authorities in Qatar continue to implement the highest level of monitoring, detection, and management procedures to deal with the virus, and the public has been advised to follow certain measures to safeguard their health.

Earlier, in a social media campaign HMC experts have said that 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.

For any queries, or concerns related to COVID-19 in Qatar, the public can contact a 24/7 hotline set up by the Ministry. The hotline number is 16000 and is toll-free.

Here's everything you need to know about the virus, including ways to protect yourself. 

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Cover Image Credit and Source: Gulf Times