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Maryam Maged Abouzaid
Doha
The duration of COVID-19 transmission’s peak stage in Qatar depends on the public commitment to stay indoors, especially during the Eid al Fitr holidays, a senior health official has said.
“Public’s commitment to the instructions is essential in reducing the peak period in Qatar. If people don’t follow the instructions during Eid Al Fitr, the peak phase may increase for more than three weeks,” Dr Yousef al Maslamani, Medical Director of Hamad General Hospital (HGH), told Qatar TV in an interview.
He said if people do not step out unnecessarily and take all the precautions, the COVID-19 transmission curve might begin to plateau in two or three weeks.
Dr Maslamani said the incubation period of the coronavirus ranges from 10 to 14 days.
“If someone disregards the safety precautions and is infected, the symptoms will mostly appear in 10 to 14 days.”
“If people are careful, the peak stage may last for two or three weeks, and then will begin to decline gradually. The public is the one who determines this period. If they commit themselves, the peak period will end sooner,” he said.
The official called on the people not to go out unnecessarily during the Eid holidays and maintain social distancing and wear face masks.
“If people violate the instructions and precautionary measures during Eid Al Fitr, the negative effect will appear within two weeks. The peak phase will continue for about a month or more,” he said.
“In this case, the number of patients will increase, and most hospital beds will be filled, and there will be an intense pressure on the intensive care beds.”
Dr Maslamani took great pride for being part of the white army – healthcare professionals – during the times of coronavirus pandemic.
“Our white army has made great sacrifices to preserve and protect the community members during the past months. I feel proud being a part of this team that provided their fullest services during the pandemic,” Dr Maslamani said.
He said the Hamad Medical Corporation provided tens of thousands of beds during the coronavirus pandemic in addition to increasing the working hours of healthcare providers.
He said the healthcare professionals are facing tremendous pressure during this pandemic. “They leave their families heading to a place where they may be infected with the virus,” he said.
“The healthcare workers are doing everything to protect people from the virus. They are the first line of defence. They are working 8 to 12 hours a day.”
Dr Maslamani said, “People get annoyed for wearing face masks for a few hours, but medical teams must wear special clothes that cause more pressure on them for half of their day.”
