Bahrain’s ‘Omicron peak’ is near, top health experts say

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Omicron surge in Bahrain will soon peak nationally, said a top infectious disease expert yesterday, expressing hope for the existing cases to decline in the coming period based on projections.
Constant monitoring and follow up of existing cases indicate that the peak of the Omicron surge is near, Lieutenant-Colonel Dr Manaf Al-Qahtani said, adding that there is no increase in patients requiring hospitalisation or intensive care.

“Cases reported now are a fraction of the cases recorded during the peak of the previous variant,” he stressed. The infectious disease consultant at the Military Hospital, and a member of the National Medical Taskforce combating the Covid-19 pandemic, added: “We will witness a decline in the rate of daily existing cases in light of Bahrain approaching the peak of the Omicron surge.”

Dr Manaf Al-Qahtani also assured that the medical sector in Bahrain is fully capable of dealing with patients who require hospitalisation or intensive care. Hospitals here have all diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities to deal with various stages of the virus, he added.

Dr Jamila Al-Salman, a consultant in infectious and internal diseases at the Salmaniya Medical Complex and a Taskforce member, further confirmed that the Omicron variant is less dangerous than the previous mutant, citing indicators at the global and national level.

“The indicators are based on the deaths recorded among existing cases and whose condition required hospital and intensive care,” said Dr Al Salman. The doctor further confirmed that the symptoms of Omicron are similar to that of seasonal influenza, especially for those who completed vaccination and boosters.

Dr Walid bin Khalifa AlManea, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and a Taskforce member, said plans to tackle the virus are proceeding as per decisions. Bahrain, he said, has on its top priority the health and safety of its citizens and residents and integrated national efforts in the spirit of one team are propelling efforts to address the COVID virus.

“The high number of patients, most of them do not have any symptoms, had not exerted any pressure on hospitals here,” Dr Al Manea said, adding that the capacity of examination and treatment centre exceeds the requirement.