295 new Covid-19 cases, two deaths and 637 recoveries Wednesday in Qatar

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) on Wednesday reported 295 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (Covid-19). 196 of these were from community cases and 99 from travellers returning from abroad. The ministry also announced the deaths of two patients aged 50 and 56 years respectively. One of the patients had a history of chronic disease and both were receiving the necessary medical care, MoPH said. The MoPH also recorded 637 recoveries from the virus during the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases recovered in Qatar to 209,251. About the National Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, MoPH said 2,150,749 Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered since the start of the programme and 40,769 Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the past 24 hours. 54.7 percent of the eligible population has now received at least one dose of the vaccine and 89.5 percent of over 60s (the most vulnerable population group) have been vaccinated with at least one dose, while 84 percent have received both doses. Current Covid-19 status: • 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. • 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 plan to gradually lift restrictions will be delivered over 4 phases with each phase lasting 3 weeks. • The date of implementation and the duration of each phase will depend on the epidemic indicators which depend to a great extent on the degree of compliance of the community members with the current measures, restrictions and guidance by the government. • With the potential spike post Eid a distinct possibility, the first phase of the lifting of restrictions is planned to start on 28 May — this will allow sufficient time to analyze 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, there is still the potential for the virus to gain momentum and for numbers to rise. What the population can do: 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: • Adherence to physical distancing. • Avoiding close contact with others, crowded places and confined closed spaces where other people congregate. • Wearing a face mask • Washing hands regularly. • People should take the Covid-19 vaccine at the earliest opportunity when their turn comes • Anyone suffering from Covid-19 symptoms should contact 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. •Visit the MOPH website for regular updates and new information.