The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) reported Thursday 200 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, of which 182 are from community cases and 18 from travellers returning from abroad.

The MoPH also recorded that 218 people have recovered from the virus in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases recovered in Qatar to 125,802.

The Ministry also announced two deaths - aged 46 and 83  who were receiving the necessary medical care.

The MoPH issued a statement on Covid-19 developments in Qatar, which said all new cases have been introduced to isolation and are receiving necessary healthcare, according to their health status.

The ministry said measures to tackle Covid-19 in Qatar have succeeded in flattening the curve and limiting the spread of the virus and the number of new daily cases and hospital admissions are continuing to decline each week.

Qatar's proactive and extensive testing of suspected cases has enabled the MoPH to identify a high number of positive cases in the community.

Qatar has one of the lowest Covid-19 death rates in the world.

This is a result of:

* Very high quality of care provided through the public healthcare sector

* Qatar's young population

* Proactive testing to identify cases early

* Expanding hospital capacity, especially intensive care, to ensure patients receive the medical care

* Protecting the elderly and those with chronic diseases

Even though restrictions are being lifted, and numbers are declining, this does not mean that the Covid-19 pandemic is over in Qatar, as people continue to be admitted with moderate to severe Covid-19 symptoms. "Unless we follow all precautionary measures, we may experience a second wave of the virus and see numbers increasing, as there are already signs of this happening in other countries around the world."

Avoid close contact with others, crowded places and confined closed spaces where people congregate. Now more than ever, we must be careful and protect the most vulnerable.

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 the precautionary measures:

* Adherence to physical distancing

* Wearing a face mask

* Washing hands regularly

Most importantly, it is vital that we continue to protect the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions. When spending time at home with elderly family members or those with chronic diseases, ensure to wash hands regularly, wear a mask and maintain social and physical distancing.

Anyone suffering from Covid-19 symptoms should either contact 16000 helpline or go directly to one of the designated health centres to undergo the necessary checks at Muaither, Rawdat Al Khail, Umm Slal, or Al Gharafa Health Centres. 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 MoPH has urged people to visit its website for regular updates and new information.