* Since Feb 1, there has been 110% rise in number of people receiving care in ICU
* Capacity expansion plan developed to ensure there are enough beds for people needing care
Qatar's healthcare sector is able to care for "each and every" one of the Covid-19 patients requiring hospital and ICU admission despite their numbers seeing a "large increase" in recent weeks, a senior health official has stressed.
Dr Ahmed al-Mohamed, acting chairman of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)'s Intensive Care Units, also told a press conference organised by the Ministry of Public Health Wednesday that the health authorities have developed a capacity expansion plan to ensure they have enough beds for people needing care.
Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, chair of the National Health Strategic Group on Covid-19 and head of Infectious Diseases at HMC, also addressed the press conference. Dr al-Mohamed said there has been an increase of around 110% in the number of people receiving care in ICU since the start of February.
"Due to the increase in Covid-19 cases in the first part of this year, we are seeing significant increases in both hospital admissions and ICU admissions in recent weeks," he said. "Every day, we are seeing more people admitted to hospital and ICU, requiring life-saving treatment.
"Since February 1, we have seen an increase of around 110% in people receiving care in ICU. This is incredibly concerning as many of these people are severely sick and require intensive treatment and advanced respiratory support."
He reassured that "despite the large increase in hospital and ICU admissions, the healthcare sector is able to care for each and every one of these patients".
Dr al-Mohamed said the number of daily hospital admissions has increased from around 40 a couple of months ago to over 100 at present. At the same time, the capacity of hospitals that receive Covid-19 patients has increased by 60-70%, he noted.
"At the start of the pandemic last year, we had a plan to significantly expand the bed capacity across our hospital system to meet the increased demand due to Covid-19," Dr al-Mohamed said. "To meet the increased demand due to the recent rise in cases, we have once again developed a capacity expansion plan to ensure we have enough beds for people needing care."
It is very important that people seek help early — as soon as they notice the signs and symptoms — as the earlier treatment can be given, the better the chances of a full recovery, he advised, stressing that the situation in Qatar is under control and "we are ready to address any new problems".
The main Covid-19 symptoms are a high temperature (fever); a new, continuous cough; and a loss or change to one's sense of smell or taste. Anyone experiencing these signs should get a Covid-19 test as soon as possible.
Dr Ahmed al-Mohamed, acting chairman of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)'s Intensive Care Units, also told a press conference organised by the Ministry of Public Health Wednesday that the health authorities have developed a capacity expansion plan to ensure they have enough beds for people needing care.
Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, chair of the National Health Strategic Group on Covid-19 and head of Infectious Diseases at HMC, also addressed the press conference. Dr al-Mohamed said there has been an increase of around 110% in the number of people receiving care in ICU since the start of February.
"Due to the increase in Covid-19 cases in the first part of this year, we are seeing significant increases in both hospital admissions and ICU admissions in recent weeks," he said. "Every day, we are seeing more people admitted to hospital and ICU, requiring life-saving treatment.
"Since February 1, we have seen an increase of around 110% in people receiving care in ICU. This is incredibly concerning as many of these people are severely sick and require intensive treatment and advanced respiratory support."
He reassured that "despite the large increase in hospital and ICU admissions, the healthcare sector is able to care for each and every one of these patients".
Dr al-Mohamed said the number of daily hospital admissions has increased from around 40 a couple of months ago to over 100 at present. At the same time, the capacity of hospitals that receive Covid-19 patients has increased by 60-70%, he noted.
"At the start of the pandemic last year, we had a plan to significantly expand the bed capacity across our hospital system to meet the increased demand due to Covid-19," Dr al-Mohamed said. "To meet the increased demand due to the recent rise in cases, we have once again developed a capacity expansion plan to ensure we have enough beds for people needing care."
It is very important that people seek help early — as soon as they notice the signs and symptoms — as the earlier treatment can be given, the better the chances of a full recovery, he advised, stressing that the situation in Qatar is under control and "we are ready to address any new problems".
The main Covid-19 symptoms are a high temperature (fever); a new, continuous cough; and a loss or change to one's sense of smell or taste. Anyone experiencing these signs should get a Covid-19 test as soon as possible.