MANAMA: Mahmood Rafique, Editor: The Kingdom of Bahrain has achieved a milestone of completing 3,30,733 tests for the COVID-19, thanks to the robust health services infrastructure of the country. The recovery of COVID-19 patients stands 61 per cent in Bahrain which is one of the best indicators globally.
The record number of tests has put the Kingdom of Bahrain as one of the leading countries for conducting huge number of tests yet the health services and hospitals are not yet overwhelmed, says Lt Col. Dr Manaf Al Qahtani, the Infectious Disease Consultant and Microbiologist at the BDF Hospital and the member of the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID-19) today held a press conference at the Crown Prince Centre for Training and Medical Research at the Bahrain Defence Force Hospital to highlight latest COVID-19 developments. Also, present were Dr Waleed Al Manea, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Jameela Al Salman, Consultant of Infectious Diseases at Salmaniya Medical Complex.
Dr Waleed, who led the media briefing, emphasized on the implementation of all precautionary steps as the Kingdom is opening up for business saying that it would be imperative to follow the instructions by all organisations and individuals both citizens and residents of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Explaining the importance of the precautionary measures, Dr Manaf while explaining the ‘new normal’ said that each individual should implement all steps or guidelines announced by the authorities. “By implementing all steps before going out and coming back home only could ensure the safety of each member of the society,” he adds. “There are simple steps which have to be implemented if you are coming back home, remove your shoes, disinfect the individual belongings, disinfect the surfaces and door handles, remove your clothes and take shower in routine,” he explains.
He also touched upon the clinical trials being conducted by the Kingdom of Bahrain for the treatment of this novel virus and assured that Bahrain would continue to adopt the best clinical trials in line with the research and medical protocols.
He closes his remarks by saying that ‘prevention is better than cure’ by urging all citizens and residents to comply with the guidelines to deal with this pandemic scientifically, efficiently and objectively.
Dr Jameela Al Salman reiterated the importance of guidelines saying the implementation of precautionary steps are key to achieve the desired results in this national effort to get rid of this pandemic.
The completion of 3,30,733 tests have put the Kingdom among the top countries globally who have conducted highest number of tests since outbreak of the COVID-19. In addition, she adds, Bahrain has enough capacity for quarantine and treatment of the COVID-19 patients as per the highest global benchmarks for the health services providers.
There are 4884 active cases, 4875 stable cases, 48 active cases, nine critical cases, 7407 discharged, and 20 deaths so far due to the COVID-19 infection. Social distancing, using face masks, using sanitizers, avoiding gatherings by showing the responsibility as a law-abiding citizen and resident, she adds.