New daily active cases on the rise in Bahrain!

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

Health experts in Bahrain yesterday emphasised the importance of adhering to precautionary measures against COVID-19 to preserve the health and safety of all. Although the vaccine is now available, they warned that the virus is still present and poses a risk to the community.

This came as the National Medical Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID-19), during yesterday’s press conference, reported an increase in new active cases daily.

Health Ministry Undersecretary Dr Waleed Khalifa Al Manea, also a member of the National Medical Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID-19), said that the average number of new active cases daily has jumped to 2.4% from the December 24 to 28 as compared to approximately 1.5% registered during the first three weeks of the month.

This reflected an increase of 34% in the average of daily new active cases in that five-day period compared to the first three weeks of the month.

In light of this, Dr Al Manea stressed the importance of continued and full adherence to public health measures particularly during the New Year public holiday, warning that the virus is still active, and any complacency risked endangering the community.

He urged the public to limit gatherings to members of the same household or close social circle and utilise outdoor open spaces rather than closed places while observing social distancing guidelines.

Turning to patient outcomes, Dr Al Manea explained that the recovery rate is currently at 97.43% with a 0.38% death rate. Isolation centre occupancy stands at 8.9%, with 540 beds occupied out of 6,078 available, and 1,474 asymptomatic cases under optional home self-isolation, after meeting the set criteria.

Taskforce member Lt. Col. Manaf Al Qahtani, Infectious Disease Consultant and Microbiologist at the BDF, underlined the central role each member of the community plays in supporting mitigation efforts.

Dr Al Qahtani explained that from December 1 to 28, contact tracing revealed that the source of infection for 39% of new active cases was family-related.

Another Taskforce member Dr Jameela Al Salman, Consultant of Infectious and Internal Diseases at Salmaniya Medical Complex, stressed the importance of following all precautionary measures to reduce the spread of the virus.

Dr Al Saman indicated that Bahrain ranks highly globally in the rate of testing per 1,000 people and that the recovery rate from the virus is also among the highest in the world. The Taskforce continues to track international COVID-19 developments, affirming that it has paid particular attention to the new strain found in a number of countries and is closely monitoring developments.

In this regard, Dr Al Qahtani noted that all necessary and coordinated measures will be taken to ensure Bahrain’s community is safeguarded.

Speaking of the National Vaccination Campaign, Al Qahtani noted that dates for those registering to be vaccinated are determined by the availability of stock already received within Bahrain.

In only 13 days, the total number of citizens and residents in Bahrain who were vaccinated has reached 56,041.

Dr Al Qahtani emphasised that antibody responses induced by the COVID-19 vaccine will differ for each individual.

However, vaccination will protect individuals from the most severe impact.

Therefore, it is extremely important for those who have received the vaccine to continue complying with all precautionary measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, particularly during the New Year public holiday.