Stay safe and healthy Bahrain!

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

People need to follow public precautionary measures and health guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

This was emphasised again by members of the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID-19) during a press conference held yesterday at the Crown Prince Centre for Training and Medical Research, Bahrain Defence Force Hospital.

They stressed that the best way to prevent the spread of the virus is by following all health and precautionary measures such as wearing face masks, observing social distancing, limiting family gatherings, avoiding large crowds, and getting vaccinated.

After all, this commitment to the precautionary measures is everybody’s responsibility to keep everyone and the community safe.

 Public Security Chief Lt.-Gen. Tariq bin Hassan Al Hassan said that the Ministry of Interior continues to safeguard the health of Bahraini citizens and residents by reviewing COVID-19 related measures across retail stores and restaurants in cooperation with the relevant authorities.

Police units continue to carry out campaigns against anyone violating the precautionary measures. More than 66,714 violations for not wearing a face mask and 8,786 for not maintaining social distance have been recorded by police authorities around the country.

 Health Ministry Undersecretary Dr Waleed Khalifa Al Manea emphasised the importance of following all health and precautionary measures amid the rise in the number of infections over the past few weeks.

The contact-tracing mechanism revealed that gatherings are one of the main causes of transmission.

Data revealed that last month 91% of cases were due to gatherings at homes and other locations.

Since 1 January this year, the infection rate has been 70% for Bahraini citizens and 30% for expatriates.

 Dr Al Manea noted the importance of limiting gatherings to immediate family members living in the same household and continuing to adhere to social distancing measures as well as to wear masks.

He added that masks should also be worn when in close contact with a member of the family with underlying conditions or the elderly.

 Dr Al Manea called on all to get vaccinated by registering via the Health Ministry’s website or the ‘BeAware’ application.

The elderly, pregnant women, people with underlying conditions and those suffering from obesity should also get vaccinated as soon as possible.

An additional vaccination centre has been set up at Sitra Mall, and an additional testing centre at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club in Sakhir, to double the capacity for conducting COVID-19 laboratory tests.

The Infectious Disease Consultant & Microbiologist at the BDF Hospital, Lt. Col. Dr Manaf Al Qahtani, highlighted Team Bahrain’s relentless efforts in safeguarding the health of all citizens and residents.

He said that the increase in cases has presented a new challenge to ensure the population follows the health and precautionary measures that have been reiterated since the onset of the global pandemic.

Dr Al Qahtani emphasised that vaccination is important, and getting the correct information from medical professionals is essential.