The Ministry of Public Health reported on Thursday 1,060 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), as many as 1,461 new recoveries and two deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of people recovered from the disease in Qatar to 74,544.
The MoPH stated that the two Covid-19 patients who died on Thursday were aged 57 and 60, respectively and received the necessary medical care.
The MoPH said that, in the last 24 hours, 11 cases were admitted to intensive care due to health complications resulting from the virus, bringing the total of cases currently receiving intensive care to 212.
The ministry pointed out the decrease in the number of daily cases that require intensive care, as well as that of cases requiring hospitalisation, but warned that infections may rise again if the community's commitment to precautions and preventive measures decreases.
The MoPH explained that the new cases were infected from people who had been previously infected. The ministry continues to conduct investigative and proactive investigations, which contributes to the early detection of cases.
The new confirmed cases have completely isolated in the various medical facilities in the country, where they are receiving the necessary health care according to the health status of each case.
According to a tweet from the MoPH, with a total of 4,324 people tested for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, as many as 337,496 have been tested so far in Qatar. The total number of infected people in Qatar since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak is 91,838.
The total number of current active cases is 17,188. The total number of people currently under acute hospital care is 993, including 126 acute hospital admissions in the last 24 hours. The total number of Covid-19 deaths so far in Qatar is 106.
The ministry pointed out that the Covid-19 epidemic is gradually declining in Qatar due to the precautions and preventive measures implemented by the state and the commitment of members of the community to them. This is considered a reassuring indicator, but it does not mean the end of the epidemic as the virus is still present in the community.
The MoPH indicated that the number of daily infections among citizens and residents (other than expatriate workers) is increasing and has multiplied several times from what it was in May, despite the decrease in the total daily infections in Qatar.
The ministry cautioned that most of the infections in these two categories belong to members of the same family and that the source of the infections is often due to social mixing with friends or other relatives. Care must be taken not to transmit the virus, especially to the elderly and those with chronic diseases.
In this context, the MoPH has advised the community to be more careful than before and to continue physical distancing, handwashing, and wearing a protective facemask as well as being careful when near elderly family members of those with chronic diseases. Also, reduce the number of necessary social visits and limit them to 15 minutes while maintaining a safe distance.
The MoPH warned that the gradual lifting of restrictions imposed by Qatar since June 15 after the epidemic has receded in the country, does not mean the lax implementation of precautionary measures and steps by community members because the virus is still present in the community.
The Ministry stressed that in the event of a decline in the degree of caution among members of society, it is very likely that the epidemic will return again, forcing a return to square one.
The MoPH added that through people's commitment and limiting the spread of the virus, the transition from one stage to another in lifting restrictions can be made as the matter depends on the extent of applying precautionary measures while avoiding family visits as much as possible.
The Ministry has developed indicators through which it assesses the current situation as a result of the gradual lifting of restrictions on a daily and weekly basis, and then it submits recommendations to the Cabinet regarding progress and transition from one stage to another of the plan to lift restrictions.
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.
The ministry said that this would be 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 MoPH also recommended visiting its website regularly to view the latest information and instructions related to Covid-19.
