Testing vital in COVID-19 fight

TDT | Manama

Bahrain has conducted over 65,000 tests for COVID-19 since registering its first case, and of this number, only two per cent have turned out positive. This was revealed last night by Ministry of Health undersecretary Dr Walid Al Manea during the press conference of the National Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

It was held at the Crown Prince Centre for Training and Medical Research at the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) Hospital. Also in attendance were Infectious Disease Consultant and Microbiologist at BDF Hospital and National Taskforce member Lt. Col. DrManaf Al Qahtani, and Consultant of Infectious and Internal Diseases at Salmaniya Medical Complex Dr Jameela Al Salman.

Dr Al Qahtani noted that Bahrain’s testing capacities have increased 11-fold since the Kingdom began its testing efforts. He further noted that the average number of medical tests taken per day has risen from 295 to 3,233.

Dr Al Qahtani added that out of all the active cases so far, 89% are asymptomatic, whilst 11% exhibit symptoms. Meanwhile, Dr Al Manea commended His Majesty the King’s continued support to the efforts of Bahrain’s medical workers in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and safeguarding the health of citizens and residents.

He lauded the efforts of the Health Ministry, including contact-tracing methods and recent field visits to labour accommodations in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, via mobile testing units.

Dr Al Manea spoke of the utilisation of the effective ‘Test, Trace and Treat’ method to safeguard Bahrain’s citizens and residents. He highlighted that the Kingdom’s pre-emptive COVID-19 campaigns have contributed to the identification and management of active COVID-19 cases across the Kingdom, and highlighted the Ministry’s increase in testing capacity across the Kingdom.

Dr Al Manea added that the Kingdom’s current testing, quarantine, isolation and treatment capacity is as follows. The public isolation and treatment capacity stands at 1,699 beds, of which 744 are currently being used, while the private isolation and treatment capacity stands at 172 beds, of which only seven are currently being used.

Further, the public quarantine capacity stands at 2,504 beds, of which 824 are being used; and the private quarantine capacity stands at 321 beds, of which 65 are being used.

In response to concerns of the recent sudden increase in active COVID-19 cases in Bahrain, Dr Al Qahtani noted that this is a result of the increased testing procedures being undertaken.

He added that most of the new cases have been amongst labourers who have not been able to observe social distancing measures. On her part, Dr Al Salman highlighted the importance of following the health guidelines issued by the government.

The team concluded by underscoring the importance of washing hands regularly using water and soap, using hand sanitizer, frequently disinfecting surfaces and objects that are used regularly, covering the mouth when coughing, the immediate disposal of used tissues, and avoiding direct contact with anyone with a fever or a cough

The team further reiterated to call 444 and follow the guidelines provided in the event that symptoms appear, and added that wearing a mask is pivotal to ensuring citizens and residents remain safeguarded from the virus.