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Bahrain issues Covid alert after most cases of new strain detected

Manama - Residents are urged to get vaccinated and limit gatherings to immediate family members.

Infectious Disease Consultant and Microbiologist at the BDF Hospital and member of the National Medical Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (Covid-19), Dr. Lt. Col. Manaf Al Qahtani, highlighted the importance of taking extra precautions in light of the prevalence of a variant Covid-19 strain, more highly transmittable than the original Covid-19 strain.

Dr. Al Qahtani noted that vaccines are safe and effective in preventing the spread of the virus as well as preventing serious complications from Covid-19. He further reiterated the importance of registering for the vaccine, to protect individuals, their families and the community.

Also read: Bahrain leader's message for people

Dr. Al Qahtani underlined the importance of supporting mitigation efforts and strictly following all precautionary measures advised by the National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus and other relevant authorities.

Moreover, Dr. Al Qahtani noted that the precautionary measures issued previously are the same measures that must be followed to combat the variant.

Dr. Al Qahtani emphasised that the variant strain from the United Kingdom has been detected in most of the current active cases, adding that the elderly are at greatest risk from the variant, adding that symptoms appear at a later stage. Dr. Al Qahtani further emphasised the importance of taking greater precautions when interacting with the elderly, or those who have chronic diseases, even within the same household.

Dr. Al Qahtani asserted that the Bahrain is the only country that requires incoming passengers to undergo a second PCR test 10 days after arrival, and data does not indicate that the recent increase in numbers is due to travel. In this respect, the official highlighted that over 250,000 contact tracing figures have indicated that most of the current cases are linked to family and private gatherings.

He stressed the importance of staying away from gatherings and limiting gatherings to individuals of the same household and immediate social circle, in addition to getting vaccinated and strictly following all the precautionary measures and regulations issued by the Taskforce and relevant authorities.