Extra caution over the next few weeks due to the rise of Covid-19
Qatar residents are to be extra cautious over the next 3 to 4 weeks due to the third wave, says a senior health official.
Dr. Abdullatif al-Khal, chair of the National Strategic Group on Covid-19 and head of the Infectious Diseases Division at Hamad Medical Corporation, said: "The compliance of people with the preventive and precautionary measures, will further ensure their protection against the new variant Omicron, which spreads and infects quickly."
“The Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5 to 12, would be available soon. So, children will receive further protection and avoid transmitting infection besides easing the return to normal school life. It is the same vaccine given for adults, but with less concentration," said Dr. al-Khal, urging parents to get their children vaccinated as soon as it is available.
"In particular, they should wear face masks in the proper way whenever and wherever applicable and maintain safe distance from others, in addition to avoiding crowds and travelling to the destinations where the disease is rampant unless necessary,” he added.
Lt. Col. Rashid Sarai al-Kaabi, from the Ehteraz Unit, requested residents to cooperate with the authorities in controlling the Covid-19 epidemic by following the preventive and precautionary measures, warning residents that those who fail to abide would be penalised.
"Though the number of new cases shot up dramatically over the past two weeks, the pinnacle of the curve is still to come, and people should be co-operative to avoid any hike in new cases. The new variant has mild to average symptoms and rarely needs any medical care or attention, especially for the healthy people, fully vaccinated and those free from chronic disease or compromised immunity,” said Dr. al-Khal.
"Since mid-October last year the numbers started to increase slightly, yet because of the high vaccination rate in Qatar, which reached above 85%, the situation in Qatar is much better than other places. This pandemic is the severest the world has faced over the past 100 years, and the situation in Qatar reflects the global situation as it has never been experienced on such a scale before,” he added.
The Ministry of Public Health is making the process for PCR tests easy by approving Rapid Antigen Tests for particular categories. Also, the opening of a drive-through centre at Lusail will certainly help many residents get tested.
"The vulnerable people such as the elderly and those with chronic disease must be given extra care as contracting the Covid-19 infection could involve high risks for some of them. Currently, there are 38 cases in the ICU and none of them got the booster or third dose, while some passed more than six months after the second dose and others never took any dose of the vaccine,” said Dr. al-Khal.
"The booster dose is easily accessible through various means, including the PHCC centres. In addition, the vaccination center at Umm Garn will have a large capacity," Dr al-Khal said, referring to the Qatar Vaccination Center – for Business and Industry Sector, set to open on January 9 and will administer Covid-19 vaccines to key business and industry workers,” he added.
For those with the new variant, a senior health official has advised to self-quarantine for at least 10 days, drink plenty of fluids, eat well, exercise, and to take medication to reduce body temperature. In most cases, the symptoms go away without medical intervention unless the person's immunity is weak due to other reasons.
--
Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content.
Instagram - @qatarliving
Twitter - @qatarliving
Facebook - Qatar Living
YouTube - qatarlivingofficial
Cover image source: Qatar Telivision
Source: Gulf Times
