* MoPH reports 260 new Covid-19 cases, 557 recoveries, 206,307 total recoveries 1,177,725 people have received at least one dose of the vaccine

 

The National Covid-19 Vaccination Programme reached another milestone as the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) on Saturday announced that more than 2mn vaccine doses have been administered in Qatar so far.

The ministry also informed that 51.9% of adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 36.4% have had both doses.

Giving details about the progress of Covid-19 vaccination in the country, the MoPH said a total of 2,002,018 vaccine doses have been given since the start of the programme, and 1,177,725 people have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Some 25,270 vaccine doses were administered in the past 24 hours, the ministry said, adding that 88.4% of people above 60 (the most vulnerable population group) have been vaccinated with at least one dose, while 82.6% have received both doses.

"Play your part in enabling life to return towards normal by getting vaccinated when it is your turn," the ministry urged the public through a post on social media.

Meanwhile, the MoPH on Saturday reported 260 new confirmed Covid-19 cases, 169 of which were community cases while 91 cases were detected among travellers returning from abroad, Qatar News Agency said.

The ministry also recorded 557 recoveries from the virus during the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries in Qatar to 206,307.

Further, the MoPH announced two more deaths, of people aged 37 and 61 years, respectively, both of whom had a history of chronic diseases and were receiving the necessary medical care.

"In recent weeks, the combined impact of Covid-19 restrictions and increasing vaccination rates, and the overwhelming support of the community, has resulted in a consistent reduction in the number of new daily infections in the country," the ministry said in a statement. "However, it is still important to be cautious as the second wave is not yet over and there are still two highly contagious and highly virulent strains of the virus that are actively circulating in the community."

The MoPH reiterated that the plan to gradually lift restrictions will be delivered over four phases with each phase lasting three weeks.

"The date of implementation and the duration of each phase will depend on the epidemic indicators, which rely to a great extent on the degree of compliance of community members with the current measures, restrictions and guidance by the government," the ministry said. "With a potential spike post-Eid a distinct possibility, the first phase of the lifting of restrictions is planned to start on May 28 - this will allow sufficient time to analyse the data and determine the impact of Eid."

Unlike last year, it is possible to make more freedoms available to those people who are vaccinated where they will enjoy certain privileges before others. "It is vital that people do not claim victory against this virus too early with the new, highly transmissible variants in the community, and there is still the potential for the virus to gain momentum and for the numbers to rise," the ministry added.

"With Covid-19 still a threat to our health here in Qatar, it is important for everyone to play their role in controlling the virus by following precautionary measures," the MoPH stressed. These include adherence to physical distancing; avoiding close contact with others, crowded places and confined closed spaces where people congregate; wearing a face mask; and washing hands regularly.

Anyone suffering from Covid-19 symptoms should contact the 16000 helpline immediately. This is important as the earlier the disease is detected, the easier it will be to receive the right treatment and recover from it.

One can visit the MoPH website for regular updates and new information.

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