TOP medics have allayed fears over the rising number of coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in the country.
Bahrain is ready with all diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities as the spread of the Omicron variant is hitting a peak, said members of the National Taskforce to Combat Covid-19.
They, however, reassured the public that the peak would soon give way to a plunge, as it did in South Africa.
“We have been monitoring the increase in existing cases and it indicates that the peak is fast approaching,” taskforce monitoring committee head Lieutenant Colonel Dr Manaf Al Qahtani said in a statement yesterday.
“However, there has been no increase in the number of patients who require hospital admission or intensive care treatment.
“Moreover, the current numbers are less compared with the peak of the spread of the previous mutants.
“We hope to witness a drop in the rate of existing cases soon.”
Dr Al Qahtani pointed out that medical personnel in Bahrain have ‘proven their competence’ in dealing with Covid-19 patients who require treatment.
“All diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities are available to deal with the various stages of the virus,” he said.
The GDN yesterday reported that Bahrain registered 100,067 cases of Omicron infection since January 1, with 14 deaths. The Health Ministry indicated that the numbers were less compared with the infection rates of the Delta variant, which claimed more than 780 lives last year.
Health Ministry Under-Secretary Dr Waleed Al Manea also sent out a message of reassurance, asserting that the country was well-equipped to tackle the spike.
“We are proceeding according to what has been decided, in the best interests of the health and safety of citizens and residents,” he said.
“This is our top priority and we have all capabilities to address the different stages of the virus.
“The capacity of examination and treatment centres exceeds the current occupancy levels.
“We are working as one team, Team Bahrain, which is also the motivation to ensure continuous efforts to preserve the health of all members of society.”
Dr Al Manea highlighted that the spike in Covid-19 infections was a global phenomenon following the emergence of highly contagious variants and that a plunge is imminent.
“We would like to emphasise that despite the high numbers, most of the cases do not have any symptoms that demand hospital treatment or admission to intensive care units,” he said.
“This means it does not put pressure on hospitals, and the capacity of examination and treatment centres is much more than the current occupancy level.”
Meanwhile, taskforce senior member Dr Jameela Al Salman stressed that complications from the Omicron infection are less serious compared with other mutants.
“The symptoms are mild and very similar to seasonal influenza,” the infectious and internal diseases consultant at Salmaniya Medical Complex said.
“Global and national indicators confirm that the Omicron variant, despite rapidly spreading, has been causing fewer complications,” she said.
“It reflects symptoms similar to that of seasonal influenza, especially in those who are fully vaccinated with a booster dose.”
Reports indicate that the Omicron wave is approaching its peak in Europe, while in some parts of the US, cases have been on a decline over the last few days. In South Africa, new daily cases have fallen by about 70 per cent from the mid-December peak.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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