THREE new positive cases of Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) were announced last night – a male and two female Bahraini nationals – bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Bahrain to 41.
All the three cases were detected upon their arrival at Bahrain International Airport from Iran via indirect flights and were transferred to a designated isolation centre for treatment, said the Health Ministry.
“All Covid-19-infected patients are in a stable condition and receiving ongoing care from a specialised medical team,” it said.
Meanwhile, the ministry has begun implementing a mobile testing process for citizens returning from Iran during February, in order to ensure full medical examinations are carried out as per official measures applied to combat the spread of Covid-19.
“The mobile testing units will provide citizens with the comfort of being tested in their areas of residence and allow for efficient medical examinations to be carried out across the kingdom, to ensure all citizens remain safe.”
Everyone who tests negative is instructed to follow the health guidelines outlined by the ministry, which include self-isolation for 14 days, while being granted a paid medical leave for 14 days and a specialised medical team will follow up with them accordingly.
The ministry has also urged all citizens and residents returning from Iran during February to isolate themselves immediately and call 444 to schedule medical examinations.
“In line with the guidelines outlined by the World Health Organisation, the ministry continues to screen all incoming passengers from Covid-19 affected countries, monitoring them for 14 days to ensure they are virus-free and do not pose a threat to the health and safety of the kingdom’s citizens and residents.”
- Meanwhile, ma’atams across Bahrain suspended their religious and social activities for two weeks, following a call by the Jaffari (Waqf) Endowments Directorate to control the spread of the virus. The ma’tams that have so far posted the decision on their Instagram accounts are: Al Ajam Al Kabeer, Al Qassab, Madan, Bin Rajab, Khoda Rasoon, Bin Salloom, Al Ameer, Janusan, Bin Zabar, Al Zahraa and Haji Abdulla Al Owainati.
- Everest Trading and Services Company will distribute 500 pieces of 500ml sanitiser bottles across ministries and government bodies.
Owner and general manager Masood Jawad told the GDN that 500 other pieces would be also distributed at mosques on Friday.
“We will try to cover as many places as possible with sanitisers as they are out of stock across Bahrain and we are the only ones that have them – but in jumbo bottles,” he said.
“That’s why we have worked over the weekend to repack them in small bottles, 500 of which we will hand out at ministries and government bodies and 500 at mosques on Friday, before we work on more batches.”
- Separately, the General Directorate of Civil Defence held a course on disinfection of biological diseases for female police personnel. It aims to enhance preparedness and form a backup team to deal with such cases in co-operation with concerned authorities.
The course was part of human resources development plans for better response to emergencies, especially chemical, radiation and biological related accidents.
The GDN reported on Wednesday that six buildings in Hidd have been assigned to be used as quarantine facilities for Covid-19.
The multi-storey buildings in the Dry Dock industrial area are being furnished and equipped with more than 400 beds to house individuals who arrive from affected countries to ensure the virus does not spread in Bahrain.
All the patients who have tested positive are Bahraini and Saudi nationals who have arrived at the airport from Iran via indirect flights.
Among the measures announced to combat the spread of the virus, Bahrain has banned all trips to Iran and have also stopped Umrah to Mecca and visits to the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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