Follow the rules!

TDT | Manama

The Ministry of Health reiterated yesterday that it is the national responsibility of all to follow the precautionary health measures enacted by the government, after 91 individuals had been identified as contacts of one active coronavirus (COVID-19) case.

The Health Ministry highlighted that from the 91 identified individuals, 48.3 per cent are family members, 26.4 per cent are work colleagues, and 25.3 per cent are contacts who had interacted with the active case across different locations. The Ministry added that out of the 91 contacts, 33 have tested positive and 58 tested negative but are currently under home quarantine.

In this regard, the Ministry is utilising contact-tracing methods to track all individuals exposed to the 33 additional active cases. The Health Ministry highlighted that recent COVID-19 testing has indicated an increase in cases from contacts of active COVID-19 cases, particularly from family and social gatherings, leaving home for unnecessary reasons, and reckless negligence when complying with the health measures and guidelines issued.

The Ministry therefore stressed for all to vigilantly follow the health measures, in particular social distancing, to ensure the mitigation of COVID-19 and the safety of the community. Furthermore, the ministry underscored the importance of limiting family gatherings to those only living in the same household, not leaving the house unless absolutely necessary and wearing face masks at all times when in public.

The Ministry repeated the need for all citizens and residents to regularly wash hands with soap and water, use an alcohol-based sanitiser, regularly disinfect surfaces being used, cover one’s mouth when coughing, dispose used tissues in the correct manner, and distance from individuals who are suffering from fever or coughing.

The Ministry concluded by outlining the importance of calling 444 if experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms, and to follow the instructions provided by the support team.