The MoPH stated that in the last 24 hours 14 new cases have been admitted to intensive care due to health complications resulting from Covid-19, bringing the total number of cases currently in intensive care to 229.
The ministry revealed that there has been a small decrease in the number of acute Covid-19 positive patients being admitted to intensive care thanks to the measures it has taken along with the other authorities concerned to limit the spread of the virus, the most important of which is early detection that can contribute significantly to reducing the severity of the infection.
In a statement, the MoPH explained that the new cases are expatriate workers infected with Covid-19 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 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 MoPH stated that the death recorded Friday was that of a 51-year-old who was in intensive care. The ministry offered sincere condolences and great sympathy to the family of the deceased.
According to a tweet from the MoPH, with a total of 5,872 people tested for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, as many as 280,665 have been tested so far in Qatar. The total number of infected people in Qatar since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak is 76,588.
The total number of current active cases is 23,222. The total number of people currently under acute hospital care is 1,281, including 156 acute hospital admissions in the last 24 hours. The total number of Covid-19 deaths so far in Qatar is 70.
The MoPH confirmed that efforts to tackle Covid-19 in Qatar have succeeded in flattening the curve and reducing the impact of the virus by a large percentage thanks to the decisions of the ban, the preventive measures taken, and the awareness and co-operation of all members of society, and that there are relatively low average numbers in relation to the recorded cases of new hospital admissions.
The ministry pointed out that Qatar has now started to overcome the stage of the peak of the virus outbreak, thanks to the measures taken by the state to address it, in addition to the commitment of the community members to the recommendations and preventive instructions, including social separation, staying at home, and not going out except for necessity.
The MoPH urged anyone with 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.
The main screening centres include Muaither Health Centre, Rawdat Al Khail Health Centre, Umm Salal Health Centre, and Al Gharafa Health Centre.
The ministry reaffirmed the necessity for the elderly or those suffering from chronic diseases and their family members to follow strict methods and precautions to reduce the risk of infection with them and work to protect them from infection by refraining from social visits, wearing the mask and cleansing the hands when near them.
The MoPH stated that, based on the extensive data and studies conducted by the authorities concerned, Qatar will begin on June 15, to lift the restrictions imposed to combat the epidemic gradually in four stages until September 1.
The ministry underscored the necessity of implementing the preventive measures during the stages of gradually lifting the imposed restrictions that were applied in the country as a result of the spread of the Covid-19, as failure to adhere to precautionary measures during the next stage will lead to a second wave of infections.
Furthermore, the MoPH pointed out that the measures applied by the state in the early stages, in February, contributed greatly and effectively to control the extent of its spread. This also helped in expanding the capacity of the health system to deal with all cases contrary to what happened in some countries that failed to implement precautionary measures early enough, which led to the collapse of their health system and an inability to handle the large numbers of cases.
The ministry stressed that the gradual lifting of restrictions came after a thorough study of the reality in Qatar and from similar experiences in many countries that have succeeded in limiting the spread of the virus after gradually lifting the restrictions imposed.
The MoPH warned that lifting the restrictions gradually does not mean the disappearance of Covid-19, pointing out that while planning the gradual easing of restrictions, attention was given to priorities to ensure avoiding the resultant risks. Each stage will be subject to evaluation and review based on the extent of the virus's spread as the success of each stage depends on the commitment of everyone to implement the required precautions.
The ministry also stressed that the Covid-19 pandemic that swept the world posed a great challenge to all countries and affected each country differently. Therefore, it is important to realise that all the precautionary measures are aimed at primarily to protecting public health and individuals from this virus, taking into account all other aspects of life, whether social or economic.
The MoPH recommended visiting its website regularly to view the latest information and instructions related to Covid-19.
