Rapid Antigen test positives must report to Bahrain MOH : Taskforce

Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

 Anyone who gets a positive on the Covid-19 rapid antigen test are required to immediately report it by calling the hotline number 444, self-isolate and take a second PCR test, said officials.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) had announced yesterday that the test is now available for a maximum retail price of BD4 from pharmacies across Bahrain.

MOH undersecretary and National Medical Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID-19) member Dr Waleed Khalifa Al Manea provided information on these tests, which deliver cost effective on-the-spot results within 15 minutes with an accuracy of more than 93 percent, without the need for specialty lab equipment. However, during the press conference held at the Crown Prince Centre for Training and Medical Research at the BDF Hospital, he noted that this technology would not replace PCR testing, which remains the primary determinant of infection.

He explained that the testing has the potential to play a significant role in reducing the spread of the virus by increasing the capacity for mass testing in a short period of time. Patients returning a positive result are required to immediately report their results to 444, self-isolate and take a second PCR test, he said.

A list of the pharmacies that provide the Covid-19 rapid antigen test kits will be periodically updated by the MOH on their newly launched website at healthalert.gov.bh. The National Health Regulatory Authority has supervised the allocation and prices of the Covid-19 rapid antigen test kits. 

Also present at the meet were other members of the Taskforce - BDF Hospital Infectious Disease Consultant and Microbiologist Lt. Col. Manaf Al Qahtani, Salmaniya Medical Complex Infectious and Internal Diseases Consultant Dr Jameela Al Salman – who all received a Covid-19 vaccine to henceforth be used by frontline healthcare workers’ for emergencies. Dr Al Qahtani confirmed that Bahrain’s authorisation of this vaccine was in compliance with existing regulations and successful clinical trials, held in collaboration with G42 Healthcare, an artificial intelligence company based in the UAE.

The Taskforce thanked His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, for his directives to prioritise frontline healthcare workers when administering the vaccine.

Dr Al Manea talked about the new website dedicated to provide updates on COVID-19 and other public health issues, following directives set by HRH the Crown Prince.

He congratulated the Bahrain Airport Company for receiving an Airport Health Accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI), reflecting the organisation’s on going commitment to exceptional standards of hygiene and comprehensive precautionary measures, keeping travellers and staff safe.

Dr Al Manea reaffirmed that the MOH was coordinating with the Education Ministry to safeguard the health of all students and staff members. He also highlighted the action taken when any positive case was detected at private schools. This includes temporarily shutting down the institute for 10 days and thoroughly disinfecting the premises.

The current recovery rate in Bahrain of Covid-19 patients is 96.74 pc with a 0.39 pc death rate. Isolation centre capacity stands at 8 pc, with 555 out of 6,910 beds occupied, and 1,804 asymptomatic cases under optional home self-isolation if requirements are met, said Dr Al Manea.

He invite fully recovered patients, who met requirements, to donate their blood plasma at the BDF Hospital's Blood Bank between 7.30 am to 1pm, Sunday to Wednesday, and 12.30 pm to 6 pm on Thursday – with further information available at the call centre on 17766279.

Dr Al Salman noted that the ministry was continuously expanding testing capacity to identify, isolate and break chains of infection, adding that random community-based testing sites have helped identify asymptomatic cases.

She reviewed the health status of active cases, confirming 2,339 stable cases from a total of 2,359 active cases. Currently, 61 Covid-19 cases are receiving treatment, of which 20 are in a critical condition. Dr Al Salman noted that over 1,780,000 tests have been conducted till date.