Due to concerted efforts made by the government, the COVID-19 outbreak has been slowed down in Qatar and the cases are gradually declining. The outbreak is into the fourth month in the State of Qatar, with a total of 91,838 confirmed cases detected so far. However, as many as 74,544 patients have already fully recovered from the disease.
There have been 106 deaths to date. As the country has passed the peak of the outbreak, officials say the number of people requiring hospitalisation has also fallen.
The government has allowed all public and private entities to resume work with 50 percent of their staff at the workplaces, while the private healthcare facilities have been allowed to operate at 60 percent capacity from July 1. Under the gradual reopening plan, many shopping centres and public parks have also opened, though with strict precautionary measures in place.
Country’s top health experts have, however, advised the public to stay vigilant against the virus, which is still present in society. The elderly and people with chronic diseases particularly need to be protected from the infection as they are more vulnerable to complications from the disease. Health statistics show that the average age of people with COVID-19 who require intensive care is 50 years.
People with chronic diseases are also at greater risk from COVID-19 as statistics show that death rate among COVID-19 patients with heart disease is 13 percent, with diabetes 9 percent, and those with blood pressure 8 percent. As the country gradually lifts COVID-19 related restrictions, public have been advised to keep following the safety guidelines including maintaining social distance, hand hygiene, use of a face mask when in public or near another person.
Community members also need to take extra care to protect their older family members or people who are already ill. Social visits, if necessary, should be kept short and while maintaining social distance and using face masks.
Qatar’s strategy against the pandemic has been effective and successful with the country achieving a very high recovery rate. Qatar’s mortality rate from COVID-19 is among the lowest in countries with major outbreak. Despite reassuring results, the authorities have remained alert and steadfast in their efforts to control the pandemic.
Qatar’s flagship public healthcare provider, the Hamad Medical Corporation, has announced to increase its daily COVID-19 testing capacity to 30,000 by the end of July, from the current capacity of 20,000 tests per day. It has already conducted 337,000 COVID-19 tests since late February
