The total number of COVID-19 cases in Qatar is getting closer to to the 500 mark, as the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) reports 13 new cases, bringing the total to 494. The good news is six more patients have fully recovered, bringing the total to 33. There are currently 461 active cases, 6 of those cases are critical. The values represent a statistical rate of 171 COVID-19 cases per 1 million population.
According to the Ministry, out of the thirteen new cases, five of those are Qataris while the rest are expats. All patients are currently in quarantine. The country continues to adopt strict, precise and exacting measures to keep the coronavirus from spreading further. In fact, Qatar has set up precautionary measures across all aspects of society, including those for retail outlets, for the safety of its citizens.
Qatar COVID-19 Total Cases Nears 500
The following is a diagram showing the latest figures for COVID-19 in Qatar. Tweeted by the Ministry of Public Health, the numbers show that the government of Qatar has now tested 10,857 people. It also shows the current number of total cases at 494, and the number of new cases in the last 24 hours at 13. Finally, it shows that 33 patients have already recovered from the disease.
— وزارة الصحة العامة (@MOPHQatar) March 22, 2020
The Ministry also continues to promote the hashtag #YourSafetyIsMySafety, which emphasizes the importance of social distancing as a key step to limit the spreading of the disease. Through this social media campaign, Qatar hopes to instill a sense of unity among its citizens. The following is a tweet from the government of Qatar accenting the importance of social distancing and full cooperation.
Social distancing is an important step to limit the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Please follow @MOPHQatar’s advice and preventive measures to safeguard the health of our community and show solidarity in #Qatar‘s continued fight against the virus. #YourSafetyIsMySafety pic.twitter.com/Rob1Q6slQ8
— مكتب الاتصال الحكومي (@GCOQatar) March 22, 2020
To enhance communication among the government and its residents, the government of Qatar has established two hotline numbers related to COVID-19 concerns. The first hotline number, 44579999 is used if you want to report a violation of the laws set up by the government to fight the disease. The second hotline number, 16000 is dedicated to answer COVID-related queries and concerns. To learn more, please visit the Ministry of Public Health website.
The strict measures may be perceived by some as too rigid or draconian, or that they breach human rights, but there has always been a balance between rights and the safety of the general public. Qatar has taken all the necessary actions to prevent a terrible spike in COVID-19 cases which we have seen in other countries.