File picture used for representation
Doha: In recent weeks, the number of COVID-19 positive cases among travellers has been low compared to those reported from the community.
In the past few days, about 10 percent of the cases were from returning travellers, and a very effective system is in place to prevent the risk of infection spreading from travelers, said Medical Director of Communicable Disease Center, Dr. Muna Al Maslamani.
“The COVID-19 continues to pose a real threat to the health of people in Qatar and it is imperative that people follow all preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection. The strict and increasing compliance with strategies to mitigate public health impacts, such as vaccination, physical distancing, and use of masks, hand hygiene, isolation and quarantine is essential to curb the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 and protect public health,” Dr. Al Maslamani told The Peninsula.
Dr. Al Maslamani emphasised that it is very important that people seek help as soon as they experience COVID-19 symptoms.
“The sooner medical teams treat your symptoms, the greater the chance of avoiding complications,” she said.
The main signs and symptoms of COVID -19 are high body temperature (fever), dry-persistent cough, loss or change in the sense of smell or taste, and difficulty breathing.
“If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms, you may have COVID -19. Most people have mild illness and can recover at home. If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider,” said Dr. Al Maslamani.
To obtain a COVID 19 test public can call 16000 immediately and will be directed to a suitable health center for testing. Or they can visit COVID-19 testing centers of the Primary Health Care Corporation at Rawdat Al Khail Health Center and Umm Salal Health Center.
“If an emergency warning sign appears on you or the COVID-19 patient you are caring for, you will need to seek medical attention immediately,” said Dr. Al Maslamani.
“Call the emergency number 999 if you are unable to wake the patient or notice any emergency signs."
“The signs include breathing difficulties, a constant feeling of pain or pressure in the chest, mental confusion that did not exist before, lips and face turn into blue and inability to stay awake,” she added.
“One of the reasons why we see an increase in cases is due to people not following preventive measures as strictly as they used to be,” said Dr. Al Maslamani.
“Failure to follow preventive measures and the laxity of some members of the community with regard to wearing masks and visits and not taking precautions in councils, weddings and other events, led to the occurrence of many hotbeds of infection. Most of the community cases were reported among citizens and professional residents – including their families,” said Dr. Al Maslamani. Dr. Al Maslamani also highlighted different COVID-19 variants and said that studies indicate that antibodies resulting from vaccination with approved vaccines recognize these variants. “This is under closer investigation and more studies are underway,” she said.
The viruses are constantly changing through mutations, and new types of viruses are expected to emerge over time. Sometimes new variants appear and disappear. Other times, new variables emerge and persist.
Multiple types of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been documented in the US and around the world during this pandemic. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus, a large family of viruses. coronaviruses are named after the crown-like spikes on their surfaces. Scientists are watching for changes in the virus, including changes in the bumps on the surface of the virus.
“It seems that these variants spread more easily and quickly than other variants, which may lead to more cases of COVID-19. The increase in the number of cases will put more pressure on healthcare resources, and lead to more hospitalizations, and possibly more deaths,” said Dr. Al Maslamani.
