The past few days have seen a spike in COVID-19 cases and children are the most affected, a senior health official has said.
“During the past two months, we have noticed an increase in the spread of the coronavirus in the community, and perhaps the most affected were children. Among the affected were also people who have had a decrease in immunity because of more than six months have passed since the second dose,” Dr Hamad Al Rumaihi, Director of the Department of Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), told Qatar TV.
“In the coming weeks, we may see an increase in cases,” he added.
Regarding the Qatar Vaccination Centre for Business and Industry Sector, he said the facility will open on January 9 and will provide 30,000 doses per day to employees of companies and business sectors in order to support the vaccination campaign for the booster dose during the coming period.
He added that all the 28 health centres will provide vaccinations, and there is a sufficient amount of vaccines.
“The goal of the third dose is to protect against the Omicron variant,” he said, adding that the golden frame in Ehteraz application gives several advantages, including exemption from quarantine and entry to workplaces, restaurants, clubs, barbershops and public places.
He said medical studies have shown that the protective immunity acquired from vaccines begins to decline six months after receiving the second dose.
“Several medical facilities have been allocated to follow up on COVID-19 patients, and over the past few days, we have noticed an increase in hospital admissions,” he said.
Al Rumaihi added that the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has the ability to increase the capacity. There are several other hospitals that are ready to join the designated facilities to care for COVID-19 patients when needed, he added.
Children most affected in recent surge in COVID-19 cases: Dr Rumaihi
December 29, 2021