Eid safety call

TDT | Manama

The National Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) yesterday called for Bahrain’s citizens and residents to seriously commit to all health and safety measures, especially with Eid Al Adha approaching, in order to avoid any potential spike in active COVID-19 cases.

This was stressed in a press conference held at the Crown Prince Centre for Training and Medical Research at the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) Hospital. Addressing the media were national taskforce members including BDF Infectious Disease Consultant and Microbiologist Lt. Col. Manaf Al Qahtani, Ministry of Health undersecretary Dr Waleed Khalifa Al Manea, and Salmaniya Medical Complex Infectious and Internal Diseases Consultant Dr Jameela Al Salman.

Labour Fund (Tamkeen) chief executive Dr Ebrahim Mohammed Janahi was also on hand as a speaker. Dr Al Qahtani cited the surge in active cases that occurred as a result of gatherings that took place during the last days of Ramadhan and during Eid Al Fitr.

He said that on the first day of Eid Al Fitr (25 May), there was a total of 4,323 active cases, but just over a week later on June 3, the number increased to 4,988 cases. On June 11, about two weeks following Eid, the total active cases rose to 5,343.

Dr Al Qahtani remarked that due to the reckless non-compliance of precautionary measures during that time, the number of contacts of active cases increased dramatically by over 1,000. He therefore called on the public to strictly follow all the precautionary guidelines issued by authorities during the coming Eid Al Adha holidays, so as to prevent another spike in active cases.

Dr Al Qahtani added that Bahrain continues to expand its COVID-19 testing capacity to swiftly identify, isolate and treat infected individuals. He said that Bahrain is committed to its “Test, Trace and Treat” strategy, and currently has the second highest number of tests per 1,000 people in the world.

To further limit the spread of the virus, Dr Al Qahtani noted that the Ministry of Health is now publishing cluster-based contact-tracing reports on a weekly basis. He also encouraged patients who have fully recovered from COVID-19, and who meet the required conditions, to donate their blood plasma at the BDF Hospital’s blood bank, to further support efforts in treating coronavirus active cases.

Economic support to tackle virus repercussions Dr Janahi praised the directives of Bahrain’s wise leadership and the support extended to citizens and the private sector, which have played a central role in addressing the repercussions of the global pandemic, particularly with the launch and implementation of several initiatives within the economic stimulus package, which has amounted to BD4.5 billion to date.

Dr Janahi noted that as a result of this stimulus package, Tamkeen has introduced its Business Continuity Support Programme. He highlighted that from July, the programme is doubling the support it provides to enterprises operating in sectors most adversely affected by COVID-19, and that it has been extended for a further three months.

The programme extension will therefore support 1,914 salons, 393 restaurants and cafes, 346 travel offices, 205 gyms and 193 training institutions, as well as supplement the income of 50 per cent of taxicab drivers, public transport and bus drivers, driving instructors, and kindergarten and nursery workers.

The BD40 million programme has already benefited over 15,600 companies and 900 Bahrainis to date, including monthly stimulus support to micro and small enterprises ranging from BD1,050 to BD12,000 over three months.

Kingdom determined to continue COVID-19 fight Dr Al Manea noted that the Kingdom continues to tackle the pandemic as well as an infodemic of misinformation, to help curb the spread of the virus and reduce fear and anxiety, while also increase awareness and ensure service excellence in the health industry.

He noted that Bahrain has implemented innovative solutions to tackle challenges arising from the virus’ spread. These include the introduction of telemedicine services launched by the Health Ministry, which provide medical consultations and allow for prescriptions to be renewed remotely, among other services.

Dr Al Manea outlined that COVID-19 recoveries in the Kingdom have reached 89.65 per cent of all registered cases, with a death rate of 0.34 per cent. The undersecretary added that isolation centers’ occupancy stands at 25 per cent, with 2,083 out of 8,357 beds occupied, while 1,649 asymptotic cases are under optional home self-isolation after meeting the set criteria.

Dr Al Salman underlined the Kingdom’s commitment to continue its widespread testing strategy in order to identify active cases early and address them immediately. She reiterated the call to committing to follow all health and safety guidelines, especially during Eid Al Adha, in order for Bahrain to overcome the pandemic.