Plasma treatment promising

TDT | Manama

Bahrain’s convalescent plasma transfusion trials on coronavirus (COVID-19)-infected patients have proven effective thus far, Infectious Disease Consultant and Microbiologist at Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) Hospital and National Taskforce for Combatting COVID-19 member Lt. Col. Dr Manaf Al Qahtani claimed yesterday.

Dr Al Qahtani was speaking during the National Taskforce’s press conference at the Crown Prince Centre for Training and Medical Research, located at BDF Hospital in Riffa.

Also in attendance were Minister of Health Faeqa bint Saeed Al Saleh; Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Zayed R. Alzayani; Public Security Chief and National Disaster Management Committee head Lt. Gen. Tariq Al Hassan; and Infectious and Internal Diseases consultant at Salmaniya Medical Complex Dr Jameela Al Salman.

Dr Al Qahtani thanked all the recovered cases through the convalescent plasma transfusion for their cooperation. He revealed that a second batch of donors has already been received.

From their blood samples, antibodies that will be used to help infected patients fight the virus will be taken. Meanwhile, Health Minister Al Saleh stressed on the need for social distancing to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan, when social and religious gatherings are central.

The Health Minister also reiterated on the guidelines issued by the Government’s Executive Committee, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, for all to follow during the holy month.

The Health Minister also revealed that Bahrain hopes to complete its International COVID-19 Repatriation Programme by May 7. She said that between 500 and 600 stranded Bahraini citizens abroad are flown home each week.

On his part, Industry Minister Alzayani affirmed that food reserves remain sufficient to ensure the supply of essential food during Ramadan. He announced that the Ministry will launch an online platform tomorrow, accessible at www. mall.bh, to bolster online sales.

Minister Alzayani invited all businesses, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, to register for the website by calling 17-574972 or e-mailing mall@ moic.gov.bh. Registration is free, and 100 businesses have already signed up so far, he said.

Lt. Gen. Al Hassan confirmed that the Ministry of Interior, led by Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, has identified the locations in which expatriate labour workers will be moved, in response to the directives issued by the Government Executive Committee to reduce the density within their existing accommodations.

Speaking on the plan, Lt. Gen. Al Hassan highlighted that the Ministry has phased the workers’ transfer to ensure that living standards are held, while at the same time the testing and quarantining of suspected cases continue.

Lt. Gen. Al Hassan went on to note that the Ministry is contributing towards curbing the spread of COVID-19 in many other ways, such as spraying disinfectants in public spaces, conducting random testing across the Kingdom, making coronavirus-related information available in multiple languages, and ensuring expatriate communities adhere to precautionary measures.

Lt. Gen. Al Hassan welcomed the support provided by volunteers who, together with local authorities, have strengthened national efforts to tackle the spread of COVID-19. He also revealed that the government has approved the automatic extension of visit visas for foreign nationals in Bahrain whose visas have expired and are unable to fly home during this period.

He said that the renewal is free of charge and the move comes following directives from the Government Executive Committee. Also during yesterday’s conference, Dr Al Qahtani noted that the increase in active COVID-19 cases reported during the past week is an expected result of the rigorous random testing efforts conducted by the Health Ministry’s mobile testing units across Bahrain.

He added that increased testing has facilitated the swift identification of active cases and the delivery of medical treatment, as well as the timely isolation of contacts of active cases. On her part, Dr Al Salman reviewed the status of cases. She added that Bahrain continues to learn something new about the virus day by day