Newly-reported COVID-19 cases have declined drastically in Qatar, signalling the surge fuelled by the highly transmissible Omicron variant is fading.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) reported only 82 new COVID-19 cases, below 100 cases for the first time since October 2021.
Also the number of new COVID-19 cases has dropped by 48% compared to the last week.
Hospitalisations and Intensive care Unit (ICU) admissions have already fallen sharply during the past few days. No ICU admissions were reported since March 2, and none were hospitalised for three consecutive days, due to COVID-19.
The Ministry reported that 173 people recovered from COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the total number of people recovered in Qatar to 357,057.
In addition, the Ministry announced one new death, aged 61, who had a history of chronic diseases and was receiving the necessary medical care.
The fast-falling numbers have led to a flurry of moves to lifting of restrictions imposed on the number of people allowed in vehicles during public transportation, and mandatory mask requirement in open spaces, unless the people are within the public activities organised in markets, exhibitions, and during events.
Also worshippers are no longer required to social distance while performing Friday prayers. And showing the Ehteraz status not required while visiting the mosque.
“The support of the community in adhering to the government restrictions and standard COVID-19 precautions, as well as the high vaccination rate, have played a significant role in reaching a plateau of new daily cases,” said the Ministry in its daily COVID-19 report.
The Ministry has also reminded the public that the virus is still circulating in Qatar and it is very important that people continue to act cautiously and follow the restrictions and preventive measures.
While, 1,838 COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered in 24 hours and 6,474,303 doses have been administered since the start of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program.
Also 1,340,552 booster doses administered till now and 88.3 % percent of the total population is now fully vaccinated with two doses.
The Ministry also has announced that the validity of COVID-19 immunity from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose or following recovery from infection has been extended to 12 months.
The decision to extend the duration to 12 months validity of immunity for those who have received the booster dose and for recovered patients and has been made in line with the latest scientific and clinical evidence which indicates that the protective immunity lasts for up to 12 months in these individuals, said the Ministry.
