The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) yesterday disclosed that the weekly average of Covid-19 cases reached 608 in the last seven days, raising the number of Coronavirus infections 388,069 cases since the start of the pandemic. Last week, the average daily cases hovered around 600.
The Ministry also revealed that the community’s daily average reached 857 and 133 cases among travellers.
In its weekly report from July 11 to July 17, the Ministry said 1,646 vaccine doses were administered during the past week.
Recently, the infection rate had increased in the country, leading the Cabinet to reintroduce specific preventive measures, including the mask mandate.
Since the pandemic’s start, Qatar has fared better than many countries in safeguarding people’s health and suppressing the spread of COVID-19 infection.
Due to its test, trace and quarantine policies and state-of-the-art healthcare system, Qatar has one of the lowest COVID-19 mortality rates in the world. The country has also recorded one of the highest COVID-19 vaccine coverage, with more than 7.2 million vaccine doses, including 1,646 daily average in the last seven days. Over 1.8 million booster shots have also been administered.
The rise in cases is a global phenomenon as the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported a worldwide fifth week in a row rise in positive cases. According to the WHO statistics, the biggest surge was seen in Western Pacific and the Middle East, where cases jumped by more than a quarter.
“I am concerned that cases of COVID-19 continue to rise -- putting further pressure on stretched health systems and health workers. I am also concerned about the increasing trend of deaths,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference last week.
The surge in infection rates is a wake-up call for the public to ensure they adhere to preventive measures and take the booster shots when eligible. The Ministry has also urged the public to adhere to the new actions related to wearing face masks. The Ministry said that face masks, when worn properly by everyone, are an effective tool to prevent virus transmission.
Also, MoPH stressed that anyone aged 12 years and above who had their second dose more than six months ago is eligible for a booster dose. A fourth vaccine dose is also available for individuals 50 years of age and older and those with chronic diseases that increase their risk for severe infection, regardless of age.
