The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) on Saturday announced the registration of 1,700 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 along with 1,592 new recoveries in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recovered people in Qatar to 42,527.

It also announced that two people have died from the virus in the last 24 hours.

The MoPH said there has been a small decrease in the number of acute Covid-19-positive patients being admitted to intensive care thanks to the measures taken by the ministry and the authorities concerned to limit the spread of the virus. The most important of these is the early detection of the virus, which can contribute significantly to reducing the severity of infection. 



The MoPH said the new cases involve expatriate workers who were infected with the virus as a result of contact with individuals who were previously infected, in addition to recording new cases of infection among groups of workers in different regions. The new cases have been identified through the track and trace team at the ministry.

Cases of infection have also increased significantly among citizens and residents as a result of contact with infected family members who had been infected in the workplace or through visits and family gatherings.

The new confirmed cases of infection have been introduced to complete isolation in the various medical facilities in the country, where they receive the necessary healthcare according to the health status of each case.

The ministry reported that the two people who died over the last 24 hours were both 57 years old, both of whom were suffering from chronic diseases and receiving the necessary medical support in intensive care.

The MoPH offered its sincere condolences and great sympathy to the families of the deceased.

The ministry affirmed that efforts to tackle Covid-19 in Qatar have succeeded in flattening the curve and reducing the impact of the virus mainly through the preventive measures taken and the co-operation of all members of society, and that the number of new hospital admissions is now showing a limited decrease.

Anyone who has symptoms of Covid-19 should either quickly contact the 16000 helpline or go directly to one of the designated health centres for testing. This is important as the earlier the disease is detected, the easier it will be to receive the right treatment and recover from it.

The four main testing centres are the Muaither, Rawdat Al Khail, Umm Slal and Gharrafat Al Rayyan health centres.

The ministry has also stressed the importance for the elderly or those suffering from chronic diseases and their family members to follow strict measures to reduce the chances of infection, including refraining from social visits, wearing a mask and regularly washing hands.

Further, the MoPH has noted that because the coronavirus outbreak is at the peak stage in Qatar, it is important not to leave the house except when it is absolutely essential. It has also stressed the importance of adhering to all measures to protect against infection, including maintaining social distancing both in the workplace and public places, as well as wearing a medical mask and avoiding social visits to reduce the risk of contracting the virus as failure to comply could lead to a second wave of the virus.

The ministry has also recommended visiting its website regularly to view the latest information and instructions related to Covid-19.