Manama, Jan. 26 (BNA) The National Medical Task Force to Combat Coronavirus (Covid-19) held a press conference today to present the latest developments on the Kingdom’s response to COVID-19, at the Crown Prince Center for Training and Medical Research. In Bahrain Defense Force Hospital.
After the approval of the government executive committee, the working group announced that the kingdom will remain at the yellow alert level until February 14, 2022.
The working group indicated that this decision was taken to maintain the progress of national efforts to combat COVID-19, to preserve public health.
His Excellency Dr. Walid Khalifa Al-Manea, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and member of the National Task Force to Combat Coronavirus (Covid-19), stressed the need for everyone to adhere to the previously announced yellow alert level procedures.
His Excellency Dr. Al-Manea indicated that health inspections are continuing, and violators will be punished according to the legal frameworks in the Kingdom.
His Excellency Dr. Al-Manea urged eligible individuals to go to the previously announced health centers to obtain a booster dose without having to set an appointment.
In addition, the importance of immediate COVID-19 testing when experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19, in order to maintain public health, is emphasized.
His Excellency Dr. Al-Manea indicated that everyone should realize that the rise in current cases with the emergence of a new variable is a possibility, in line with the current national efforts for COVID-19, Dr. Al-Manea said that the current focus is on maintaining the low number of patients requiring hospital treatment. or intensive care units. He added that the current levels reflect the success of the national vaccination campaign and other measures taken to protect public health.
For his part, Lt. Colonel Dr. Manaf Al-Qahtani, Infectious and Microbiological Diseases Consultant at Bahrain Defense Force Hospital, and member of the National Medical Task Force to Combat Coronavirus (Covid-19), affirmed that the health and safety of citizens and residents. It is still a top priority.
Dr. Al-Qahtani pointed out that the national vaccination campaign was launched with the aim of preserving public health, and since its launch until today, its procedures and protocols have been updated in accordance with international best practices.
Dr. Al-Qahtani highlighted the importance of full vaccination and getting a booster dose, as vaccines provide protection from COVID-19 by enhancing the body’s immunity.
Dr. Al-Qahtani also commented on the success of the national vaccination campaign, saying that ensuring community awareness led to widespread acceptance of vaccination, with 94% of eligible individuals over the age of 18 receiving two doses of the vaccine, and 83% of eligible individuals receiving a booster injection.
Dr. Al-Qahtani pointed out that the Kingdom of Bahrain has achieved success in immunizing adolescents and children, as the vaccination rate for the age group from 12 to 17 years has reached 91%. The number of children between the ages of 3 and 11 who received the vaccination reached more than 17 thousand, while the number of registered children so far reached more than 25 thousand.
Dr. Al-Qahtani thanked the parents for vaccinating their children, and called on those who were not sure that their children were vaccinated soon, in order to preserve their safety and the safety of those around them, and in support of the national efforts to combat Covid-19. Noting that vaccinations and the stimulant injection proved effective in reducing the severity of symptoms and death rates in case of infection.
Dr. Al-Qahtani called on all those eligible to be fully vaccinated, and to take the booster vaccine, according to the updated vaccination protocols that were announced as part of the national vaccination campaign.
For her part, Dr. Jamila Al-Salman, a consultant in infectious and internal diseases at Salmaniya Medical Complex, and a member of the National Medical Task Force to combat Corona Virus (Covid-19), explained that the changes in alert levels are within the alert level of COVID-19. The traffic light system is based on the daily rate of the number of cases in intensive care.
Dr. Al-Salman explained that the task force may set some dates as a higher alert level in the interest of public health and safety, and that the precautionary measures associated with each level are subject to change according to the latest data and developments.
Dr. Al-Salman explained that the precautionary quarantine period for individuals carrying the Green Shield on the BeAware application will be seven days from the date of infection, and these individuals can exit the quarantine after seven days without undergoing a PCR exit test. .
Individuals who are not immunized or who have a yellow or red shield on the “BeAware” app must quarantine for ten days from the date of infection and can exit quarantine after ten days without a PCR exit test.
Dr. Al-Salman highlighted the importance of rapid COVID-19 testing when experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19, as early reporting of symptoms leads to faster isolation of existing cases and reduced number of contacts, and has been shown to shorten treatment and recovery time.
In conclusion, Dr. Al-Salman stressed the importance of continuing to adhere to all the decisions of the previously announced precautionary measures to continue to successfully address the epidemic and maintain public health.
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