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Tribune News Network
Doha
The delta variant of the coronavirus, which more contagious than earlier strains and is believed to make people sicker, has been detected in Qatar, according to a top health official said on Monday.
However, proactive measures succeeded in delaying the arrival of the delta variant in Qatar until increased vaccination strengthened community’s immunity, said Hamad General Hospital Medical Director Dr Yousef Al Maslamani.
“The delta variant first appeared (in the world) last February, but it arrived in Qatar four months later,” Dr Maslamani said.
The delay has made a big difference in the plan to confront the pandemic as larger numbers of the population were vaccinated during this period, he told Qatar TV in an interview.
“This gave us an opportunity to increase vaccination rates and enhance immunity in society -- for example almost 85 percent of people aged over 12 received at least one dose of the vaccine. And this is a large number, which contributed to providing excellent protection.”
On the reasons for delaying the fourth phase of the plan to lift the COVID-19 restrictions, Dr Al-Maslamani said, “There are criteria that we rely on and that help us to know the rates of the epidemic in society, and then based on that we take the decision to move to the next stage and open more activities to the public.”
He added, “In recent days, the number of people infected with the virus has increased, and almost all criteria are in the second and third stage. So, scientifically and it is illogical to move to another stage and open activities more at a time when the numbers are constantly increasing.”
Dr Al Maslamani noted the need for those returning from travel to adhere to the precautionary and quarantine measures, especially the groups to whom home quarantine is applied, as it is very important to flatten the curve of injuries and then reduce them during the current and future period.
“Does the fourth stage mean the lifting of restrictions completely? Dr Al Maslamani said, “We cannot completely lift the restrictions because scientifically, if you move from a stage with restrictions to the stage of complete conquest, the epidemic will return significantly.”
He said the most important thing is to adhere to the mask and social distancing, and this is repeated in all stages, and in the fourth stage, greater numbers of people will be allowed in councils, open places, weddings, restaurants, etc., and more freedom for the restaurants to move, move and gather.
With regard to updating the travel policy for the six Asian countries, he said, “We take such decisions to protect society and the safety of the country.”
Doha
The delta variant of the coronavirus, which more contagious than earlier strains and is believed to make people sicker, has been detected in Qatar, according to a top health official said on Monday.
However, proactive measures succeeded in delaying the arrival of the delta variant in Qatar until increased vaccination strengthened community’s immunity, said Hamad General Hospital Medical Director Dr Yousef Al Maslamani.
“The delta variant first appeared (in the world) last February, but it arrived in Qatar four months later,” Dr Maslamani said.
The delay has made a big difference in the plan to confront the pandemic as larger numbers of the population were vaccinated during this period, he told Qatar TV in an interview.
“This gave us an opportunity to increase vaccination rates and enhance immunity in society -- for example almost 85 percent of people aged over 12 received at least one dose of the vaccine. And this is a large number, which contributed to providing excellent protection.”
On the reasons for delaying the fourth phase of the plan to lift the COVID-19 restrictions, Dr Al-Maslamani said, “There are criteria that we rely on and that help us to know the rates of the epidemic in society, and then based on that we take the decision to move to the next stage and open more activities to the public.”
He added, “In recent days, the number of people infected with the virus has increased, and almost all criteria are in the second and third stage. So, scientifically and it is illogical to move to another stage and open activities more at a time when the numbers are constantly increasing.”
Dr Al Maslamani noted the need for those returning from travel to adhere to the precautionary and quarantine measures, especially the groups to whom home quarantine is applied, as it is very important to flatten the curve of injuries and then reduce them during the current and future period.
“Does the fourth stage mean the lifting of restrictions completely? Dr Al Maslamani said, “We cannot completely lift the restrictions because scientifically, if you move from a stage with restrictions to the stage of complete conquest, the epidemic will return significantly.”
He said the most important thing is to adhere to the mask and social distancing, and this is repeated in all stages, and in the fourth stage, greater numbers of people will be allowed in councils, open places, weddings, restaurants, etc., and more freedom for the restaurants to move, move and gather.
With regard to updating the travel policy for the six Asian countries, he said, “We take such decisions to protect society and the safety of the country.”
