Qatar is making every effort to protect the health and safety of its citizens and residents amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

From a series of carefully thought-out measures to adopting the latest technologies for testing suspected cases of COVID-19, the country has been working diligently to tackle the virus.

As of now, more than 38,000 people have undergone COVID-19 testing in Qatar. The country has one of the highest testing rates in the world.

In addition to this, Qatar continues to make sure there are adequate medical facilities and services to treat and manage COVID-19 patients.

In March, the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) had announced that the Muaither Health Center and Rawdat Al Khail Health Center would temporarily function as ‘test and hold’ facilities for suspected cases of COVID-19.

This was followed by Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) announcement that Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital (HMGH) will be used as a treatment facility for patients affected by the virus. This decision ensures that the patients receive high-quality care in an integrated facility.

Moreover, Qatar set up the Umm Salal quarantine compound, composed of 32 buildings with the capacity for 18,000 beds, in an impressive amount of time.

The compound has been fully equipped to ensure comfort, safety and entertainment needs in addition to the necessary health services for quarantined people.

Yesterday, some UN representatives praised Qatar's efforts in fighting the disease at the national level and for all the people who live in the country without discrimination by providing free medical examinations and high-quality services.

Thank you to the @UN offices in Qatar & the Region including @WHOEMRO & @ILOQatar & @UNESCO_GCCYemen 4 a productive e-meeting.

Talked about Qatar’s Response to COVID19 to protect the #People_of_Qatar with no nationality, racial or social discrimination.#StrongerTogether ???? pic.twitter.com/7HczIMUBpH

— لولوة الخاطر Lolwah Alkhater (@Lolwah_Alkhater) April 6, 2020

This came in a remote meeting that the Assistant Foreign Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, HE Lolwah bint Rashid AlKhater, held with the UN officials in Qatar and the region. 

The meeting was held to inform the officials regarding the steps Qatar has taken locally and internationally to combat COVID-19. 

The UN representatives also lauded Qatar's international efforts of sending medical shipments and aid to friendly countries as well as the evacuation of people stranded in the epidemic areas, including UN personnel.

The UN representatives praised the efforts of Qatar in combating COVID-19 epidemic at the national level and for all who live in Qatar without discrimination by providing free medical examinations and high quality services. #QNA

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) April 6, 2020

HE the Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Development, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the National Committee to Combat the Coronavirus, Khalid bin Rashid al-Mansouri also joined the meeting.

From the UN, Director of UNESCO's Office in the Arab States of the Gulf and Yemen Dr Anna Paolini, Director of the International Labour Organization Office in Qatar Houtan Homayounpour, director of the UN Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre in Qatar Dr Abdel Salam Sidahmed, UNICEF head of Office in Qatar Anthony MacDonald, acting head of Office at UNHCR Ayat El Dewary and World Health Organization representative in the region Dr Rayana Bou-Haka participated in the remote meeting.

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

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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Source: MOFA