With seven people reported as infected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country, health authorities have clarified on the use of medical masks to prevent the disease and introduced a 24/7 hotline to answer all related questions and enquiries.
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) yesterday announced a diagnosis of four new cases of COVID-19, among them two Qatari citizens and two aides who were travelling with them. They were among those were evacuated from Iran on a government-chartered plane on February 27, 2020, and have been under full quarantine since they arrived in the country.
Also the MoPH has set up a dedicated call center to answer all questions and enquiries related to COVID-19. Public and health professionals can call 24×7 on 16000 hotline for enquiries.
Ali Darwish, Assistant Executive Director of the Ambulance Service has also emphasised that how HMC’s Ambulance Service is working with the MOPH, Hamad International Airport, and other partners to ensure appropriate screening and precautionary measures are in place to protect the public from the spread of COVID-19.
“A range of measures have been taken to protect people of Qatar from COVID-19. They include screening people at the HIA for all passengers coming, if the screening identifies a person showing clear symptoms of COVID-19 they will be assisted by a medical team at HIA clinic.
“If the medical team believe there is a possibility that passenger may have COVID-19, the passenger will be transferred by an ambulance to CDC for treatment and diagnosis.
During the transfer process the ambulance crew will be wearing personnel protective gear. After handing over the passenger to the CDC, the ambulance crew dispose their personal protective gear and the ambulance undergoes a deep cleaning process.”
“The CDC is designed to treat people at these types of diseases. The patients will be given treatment to manage the symptoms awaiting for the lab test results,” he said.
The MoPH also reaffirmed that the patients had no contact with the public and emphasised that the risk of infection spreading remains low.
The Ministry also confirmed that the condition of the first three cases that were diagnosed are undergoing treatment in the CDC and they are in a stable condition.
The health authorities have taken all precautionary measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 including all travellers coming from countries where the virus has affected being reported to quarantine upon arrival in the country. The Ministry said that it will continue to monitor those who have been in quarantine for any symptoms.
Meanwhile, the MoPH in a social media campaign together with the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Primary Health Care Corporation clarified the use of a medical mask to prevent the disease and said that it should only be worn if a healthcare professional recommends it.
Separately, Dr Jassim Fakhro Consultant Surgeon at HMC, in a video has clarified that the risk of COVID-19 spreading is very low in the country.
“The precautions taken by MoPH are up to international standards,” he said. In precaution, he said, “Keep washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after sneezing and before eating. Try to avoid contact with sick people, cover your nose and mouth if you sneeze or cough with tissue and throw the tissue.”
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