BAHRAIN has witnessed an increase in the number of travel-related coronavirus (Covid-19) cases during the last six weeks.
A total of 52 incoming passengers tested positive for the virus between December 9 and 15, according to data released by the Health Ministry.
The previous week (December 2-8) saw 43 cases, with 39 infections the week before (November 25-December 1). There were 33 travel-linked Covid-19 cases between November 18 and 24, 30 between November 11 and 17, and 22 during the week from November 4 to 10.
The rising numbers assume significance as Bahrain is expected to witness an increased traffic of tourists and others travelling during the holiday season.
The country is implementing the yellow-level Covid-19 precautionary measure from tomorrow, in accordance with the traffic-light mechanism to combat the virus. It has also revised travel protocols which will take effect tomorrow.
The Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) on Wednesday made it mandatory for all passengers, aged six and above, to present an approved negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test certificate, issued no more than 48 hours prior to boarding the flight. The document should bear a QR code.
The CAA said the decision was a precautionary measure in light of the global spread of the new variant (Omicron).
Incoming passengers will continue to undergo three PCR tests – on the first, fifth and 10th days of arrival.
Bahrain, on Sunday registered the first case of Omicron – the most heavily mutated coronavirus strain found so far.
Senior taskforce members said the passenger who was tested positive upon entry into Bahrain was stable, underlining that the strain had not spread in the kingdom.
Health Ministry Under-Secretary Dr Waleed Al Manea had earlier indicated that the colour change from green zone to yellow was due to a combination of local and external factors, including concerns about the variant and an increase in the number of infections.
An average of 35 new cases have been reported this month until Thursday, compared with 29 cases registered between November 15 and 30.
Infections have nearly doubled in the last few days – from 28 new cases on Sunday to 44 on Monday, 53 on Tuesday and 55 on Wednesday.
The GDN reported last month that active Covid-19 cases in Bahrain had dropped by 70 per cent. On November 9, the number of new cases per day dropped to as low as 15.
Meanwhile, according to ministry statistics, the average number of daily coronavirus cases increased last week to 38 – up from 31 the prior week.
The week also saw 267 new infections – 143 Bahrainis and 124 expatriates – of which 215 were transmitted locally.
Clusters
There were 66 close contacts who tested positive for the virus, 50 of whom developed symptoms. Thirty people tested positive through random screening and 59 after quarantine.
The ministry also highlighted three clusters which revealed 22 positive cases from nine Bahraini households.
Contact tracing of a symptomatic couple and the wife’s brother revealed a cluster of 10 positive cases across three households. They included the couple’s daughter, the husband’s sisters, wife and her brother’s parents and their siblings.
A 51-year-old symptomatic male citizen infected six others across five different households, including his wife, children and co-workers.
Contact tracing also identified a symptomatic 49-year-old Bahraini female who infected her four children, all living in the same household.
Bahrain will be on yellow level until January 31.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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