Have you missed the most important coronavirus (COVID-19) updates of the week on the coronavirus in Qatar Weekly Update? Every Thursday, we take a moment to bring you all the updates and latest developments in the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in Qatar.
Here's what happened in Week 16. Read below to know more about what's happening in Qatar and how the government is trying to control the situation in Week 17.
The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has confirmed that people who undergo testing at COVID-19 drive-through testing centers will not get gray color in EHTERAZ application, as the color will remain green after taking the medical swab. PHCC added that it will contact COVID-19 positive cases.
PHCC has established three COVID-19 drive-through testing centers in Al Waab, Al Thumama, and Labeeb, adding that only those who are invited are examined, as this service is not available to the public and it is limited only to those who meet the agreed national standards, as examination will be conducted only for cases that have received the invitation.
The Cabinet affirmed to continue the application of the precautionary measures and procedures taken in order to combat this pandemic. Within the framework of the plan to gradually lift the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19, the Cabinet decided the following:
The MoPH has just announced the registration of 1,199 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) bringing the total number of positive cases in Qatar to date to 90,778 and has stated that 1,582 more people have recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of people that have recovered in Qatar to 73,083. Unfortunately, 5 new deaths have also been reported bring the total number of coronavirus-related deaths to date in Qatar to 104.
The Ministry states that, in the last 24 hours, 7 new cases were admitted to intensive care due to health complications resulting from infection with the virus, bringing the total number of critical cases that are currently in intensive care to 219.
The Ministry explains that the new cases had the virus transmitted to them from people who had been previously infected, as the MoPH continues to conduct investigative and proactive testing, which contributes to early detection of cases.
The new confirmed cases of infection have been introduced to complete isolation in the various medical facilities in the country, where they receive the necessary healthcare according to the health status of each case.
The Ministry states that the deaths recorded today were receiving the necessary medical care, and were for people aged 57, 58, 77, 85 and 93 years old. The MoPH extends its sincere condolences and great sympathy to the families of the deceased.
During WISE's Education Disrupted, Education Reimagined Part II - a three-day virtual gathering addressing the impact of COVID-19 and the future of education systems around the world - Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education, UNESCO, focused on the importance of building a better future through learning.
The crisis caused by the pandemic, she said, has exposed the consequences "of digital inequality that deprived millions from learning, of gender inequality that exposed girls - more than boys - to violence, of social inequalities that left the poorest behind, and geographical inequity."
A press conference for the Ministry of Public Health was held Tuesday evening to discuss the latest developments and statistics related to Corona Virus (COVID-19). Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Khal - Chairman of the Strategic Group to Address Corona Virus (Covid-19) and Head of the Department of Communicable Diseases, Hamad Medical Corporation along with Dr. Hamad Al Romaihi, Director of Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control at the Public Health Department and co-chair of the National Pandemic Preparation Committee led the press conference.
Here are the COVID-19 updates:
In preparation for the resumption of sports activities such as QNB Stars League matches and those of the third round of the second division, Coronavirus (COVID-19) tests for coaches, referees department's staff and drivers of buses began Tuesday according to the schedule.
The Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Hall hosted the medical tests that took place in the two halls at one time according to the general plan and protocol developed by the QFA and approved by the Ministry of Public Health.
The MoPH announced the registration of 1,176 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), with 1,545 recoveries from the virus, bringing the total number of recovered cases in Qatar to 71,501 cases.
The Ministry stated there were 17 new cases admitted to intensive care due to health complications resulting from infection with the virus, bringing the total number of critical cases in critical care to 225.
The Ministry explained that the new cases had the virus transmitted to them from people who had been previously infected, as the MoPH continues to conduct investigative and proactive testing, which contributes to early detection of cases.
Healthcare professionals from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) currently care for nearly 3,000 patients living in the community across Qatar, most of who are aged 60 years and older.
The home healthcare teams provide valuable care to patients who are unable to, or advised not to, visit a clinic for certain procedures. Between early March and the end of May 2020, the team has conducted over 22,300 home visits.
Some of the museums in Qatar and a few of the country's heritage sites will be reopening for the public when Phase 2 starts on 1 July 2020 as Qatar gradually lifts restrictions placed on different establishments in March 2020 as the coronavirus spread across the country. Now, the the virus has been controlled by the Ministry of Public Health, various establishments around the country are reopening in accordance with precautionary and preventive measures set out to ensure everyone in Qatar remains safe and healthy.
Qatar Airways continues to maintain its position as the largest international carrier in the world, operating over 270 weekly flights to more than 45 destinations. The airline’s gradual rebuilding of its network continues with flights resuming in the past week to the following destinations:
As entry restrictions ease around the world, the carrier is also seeing a rise in bookings due to the strong levels of trust built with passengers as it took home over 1.8 million people safely and reliably during this crisis including many left stranded by other airlines. With demand steadily rising, Qatar Airways has increased frequencies to the following destinations in the past week:
The national carrier of Qatar also continues to operate daily flights to many key global destinations including Amsterdam, London Heathrow, Melbourne, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo and Zurich offering a resilient network that is designed for strong connectivity.
The MoPH announced the registration of 1,034 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), with 1,637 recoveries from the virus, bringing the total number of cures in Qatar to 69,956 cases. One death was also recorded.
The MoPH stated there were 11 new cases admitted to intensive care due to health complications resulting from infection with the virus, bringing the total number of critical cases currently in critical care to 219.
The Ministry explains that the new cases had the virus transmitted to them from people who had been previously infected, as the MoPH continues to conduct investigative and proactive testing, which contributes to early detection of cases.
The Ministry explains that the patient who died was aged 60 and had been receiving appropriate medical care. The MoPH extends its sincere condolences and great sympathy to the family of the deceased.
In Phase 2 of the gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in Qatar, select restaurants will be allowed to open (keep checking back for any further developments and/or changes).
Qatar started its four-phased gradual lifting of restrictions plan last June 15, with parks, mosques, and shops in malls reopened albeit restricted. However, for Phase 1, 80% of the workforce is still recommended to work from home. For those that are returning to work during this phase, here are the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Public Health on how to ensure the safe and gradual return of employees to work. These precautionary measures will help prevent the risk of COVID-19 transmission at the workplace.
The Head of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Hamad Medical Cooperation Dr. Einas Al Kuwari revealed that the daily laboratory capacity for (COVID-19) tests will reach 30,000 Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests by the end of July, while the current laboratory capacity amounts to 20,000 daily tests.
Hamad Medical Laboratories perform various tests to diagnose the Coronavirus (COVID-19), including Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and serological tests, each of which has its uses according to the medical protocols.
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has just announced the registration of 881 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) bringing the total number of positive cases in Qatar to date to 87,369 and has stated that 1,556 more people have recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of people that have recovered in Qatar to 68,319. Unfortunately, 4 new deaths have also been reported bring the total number of coronavirus-related deaths to date in Qatar to 98.
The MoPH states that, in the last 24 hours, there were 8 new cases admitted to intensive care due to health complications resulting from infection with the virus, bringing the total number of critical cases that are currently in critical care to 221 cases.
The Ministry explains that the new cases had the virus transmitted to them from people who had been previously infected, as the MoPH continues to conduct investigative and proactive testing, which contributes to early detection of cases. The new confirmed cases of infection have been introduced to complete isolation in the various medical facilities in the country, where they receive the necessary healthcare according to the health status of each case.
The Ministry explains that the deaths recorded today were receiving the necessary medical care and were aged 37, 55, 61 and 69 years old. The MoPH extends its sincere condolences and great sympathy to the families of the deceased.
The MoPH announced through a memo that private health care facilities are now allowed to carry out swabbing for the COVID-19 test. The memo 7/2020 states that:
Private Health Care Facilities are allowed to carry out swabbing for the COVID-19 test and send the swabs to Hamad Medical Corporation laboratories for testing.
Private Health Care Facilities are allowed to perform swabbing for the following categories:
The health care facility is allowed to add no more than QR 50 to the actual test cost of HMC
This applies only for coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR testing and other rapid testing are not permitted.
Included in Phase 1 of the four-phased gradual lifting of restrictions is the partial opening of mosques which started on June 15 with around 500 mosques reopened with the exception of Friday prayers. Aside from the core precautionary measures to be applied throughout all phases, the MoPH also released research-based guidance on best practices to facilitate a gradual and safe restoration to mosques and effective measures to protect the health of worshipers and mosque workers by reducing the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission during the performance of the prayer in the mosque.
The MoPH announced 1,026 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) with 1,354 people having recovered from the disease, bringing the total number of people having recovered in Qatar to 66,763 cases. In addition, the Ministry reported one new death. The MoPH stated that there were 14 new cases admitted to intensive care due to health complications resulting from infection with the virus, bringing the total number of critical cases that are currently in critical care to 224 cases.
The Ministry explained that the new cases had the virus transmitted to them from people who had been previously infected, as the MoPH continues to conduct investigative and proactive testing, which contributes to early detection of cases.
The Ministry explained that the death recorded was aged 42.
Qatar expressed gratitude for the exceptional efforts made by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to confront the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including the initiative presented by the IAEA Director-General to assist member states with nuclear-derived technologies to detect COVID-19 infection, stressing determination to continue support IAEA's efforts in this field and other areas.
Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) has recently released a circular regarding confirmed reservations in quarantine hotels for the passengers travelling out of Doha with a return booking. However, many residents are confused about the requirements prior to the departure. In this context, we reached out to QCAA to have a clear understanding as to who can and cannot depart without quarantine hotel bookings.
The MoPH announced 1,021 new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), with 1,767 people having recovered from the disease, bringing the total number of recoveries in Qatar to 63, 65,409. The Ministry also announced 7 deaths.
The Ministry recorded 11 cases of intensive care due to health complications resulting from infection with the virus, bringing the total number of critical cases receiving medical care in intensive care to 230.
The Ministry explained that the new cases had the virus transmitted to them from people who had been previously infected, as the MoPH continues to conduct investigative and proactive testing, which contributes to early detection of cases.
The Ministry explained the deaths that were recorded were receiving medical care in intensive care and were for people aged 77, 71 years, 69 years, 65 years, 64 years, 40 years and 34 years.
The MoPH has announced 1,267 confirmed new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), with 1,470 people recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries in Qatar to 63,642. The Ministry also announces 4 deaths.
The Ministry stated that 11 new cases were admitted to intensive care due to health complications related to the virus, bringing the total number of cases in intensive care to 230.
The Ministry explained that the new cases had the virus transmitted to them from people who had been previously infected, as the MoPH continues to conduct investigative and proactive testing, which contributes to early detection of cases.
The deaths recorded were patients who were receiving the necessary medical care in intensive care and they were aged 77 years, 61 years, 43 years and 41 years.
Social distancing in an airplane is not necessary, as long as precautions are taken, according to Qatar Airways Group GCEO, H.E. Akbar Al Baker in an interview with Sky News on Wednesday.
"If that is implemented, the prices for air travel go will go up extremely, because you'll be carrying a 30-40% load factor on an airplane.
"[You will still] have the possibility to infect somebody else, by touch, or by rubbing into each other when you're going back to your seats.
"So I think that social distancing really should not be implemented in an airplane as long as you're going to take all the precautions you need - masks, gloves - and in Qatar Airways we are also supplying face shields and fully clad PPE for cabin crew."
Social distancing in an airplane is not necessary, as long as precautions are taken such as masks, gloves, face shields and cabin crew wearing PPE. #QatarAirways pic.twitter.com/oRZeH1LF22
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) June 17, 2020
New virtual services launched in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have enabled HMC's Mental Health Service to meet increased demand, with the service delivering 20% more outpatient consultations since the start of the virus outbreak.
Around 10,000 people a month have benefitted from the new services, which include a mental health helpline and virtual consultations.
When do you think this coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Qatar will end? What are you doing to flatten the curve? Are you following all the SOPs? Do let us know your thoughts in our Comments section. Like and share the article - it keeps us going!
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