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The COVID-19 strain originating from the United Kingdom has been a factor in the increase in the number of infections that need intensive care in Qatar, a senior health official has said
Dr Ahmed Al-Muhammad, Head of the Intensive Care Department at HMC, said as of mid-March, the number of patients receiving treatment in intensive care units at HMC has more than doubled, and the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units is currently more than 280 patients.
While there were about 220 patients in intensive care units during the height of the first wave of the pandemic in May 2020, which indicates that COVID-19 patients are exposed to more severe illnesses and develop more severe symptoms during this second wave of the pandemic, DrAhmed said.
The UK strain of the virus is more transmissible and spreads between individuals more easily, he added.
The British strain can cause severe illnesses for the infected, and their cases require admission to hospital and intensive care units. Unfortunately, the chances of death due to serious complications from the virus are greater for this group as well, he added.
Sheikh Dr Muhammad bin Hamad Al Thani, Director of the Public Health Department at the Ministry of Public Health, said despite the increased health risks associated with the British strain of the virus, members of the public can still take proactive steps to protect themselves from the risks of this disease and reduce their chances of significant infection.
He said Qatar confirmed very early on during the global efforts to produce vaccines its keenness to purchase safe, effective and internationally approved vaccines only to provide them to the population, and two of the Covid-19 vaccines are currently being used in the State of Qatar, namely the Moderna vaccine and the Pfizer vaccine. And Biontec, and both vaccines have proven effective in preventing severe symptoms due to infection with the British strain of the virus. He pointed out that the pace of the vaccination program has greatly accelerated with the increase in the available quantities of vaccines.
The most important step that everyone can take to protect themselves from the dangers of the virus is to rush to obtain the vaccine as soon as they become one of the categories eligible to receive vaccination and set an appointment for them to receive it.
Dr Ahmed Al-Muhammad, Head of the Intensive Care Department at HMC, said as of mid-March, the number of patients receiving treatment in intensive care units at HMC has more than doubled, and the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units is currently more than 280 patients.
While there were about 220 patients in intensive care units during the height of the first wave of the pandemic in May 2020, which indicates that COVID-19 patients are exposed to more severe illnesses and develop more severe symptoms during this second wave of the pandemic, DrAhmed said.
The UK strain of the virus is more transmissible and spreads between individuals more easily, he added.
The British strain can cause severe illnesses for the infected, and their cases require admission to hospital and intensive care units. Unfortunately, the chances of death due to serious complications from the virus are greater for this group as well, he added.
Sheikh Dr Muhammad bin Hamad Al Thani, Director of the Public Health Department at the Ministry of Public Health, said despite the increased health risks associated with the British strain of the virus, members of the public can still take proactive steps to protect themselves from the risks of this disease and reduce their chances of significant infection.
He said Qatar confirmed very early on during the global efforts to produce vaccines its keenness to purchase safe, effective and internationally approved vaccines only to provide them to the population, and two of the Covid-19 vaccines are currently being used in the State of Qatar, namely the Moderna vaccine and the Pfizer vaccine. And Biontec, and both vaccines have proven effective in preventing severe symptoms due to infection with the British strain of the virus. He pointed out that the pace of the vaccination program has greatly accelerated with the increase in the available quantities of vaccines.
The most important step that everyone can take to protect themselves from the dangers of the virus is to rush to obtain the vaccine as soon as they become one of the categories eligible to receive vaccination and set an appointment for them to receive it.
