The official recalled that the most recent surge in Covid-19 cases was first observed in Qatar and the world during last December due to the Omicron variant but things started to improve and the pandemic curve begun to be flattened by mid January this year. "Less than 600 new cases are being reported a day and less than 100 are admitted in the hospitals, including in the ICU," he stated. The total number if daily Covid-19 cases in Qatar dipped to 498 Wednesday.
Regarding the recent updates to Ehteraz, Dr al-Maslamani said it has been observed that the acquired immunity of a person against Covid-19 whether through vaccination or recovery from infection start to drop considerably after nine months. "So, the immunity is shown in Ehteraz through the golden frame for those who receive the two or three doses within this time frame and an icon for those recovered for the same period. Both enjoy the same benefits and status in this regard," he said.
Dr al-Maslamani stressed that the only approved and accredited Covid-19 tests to reflect on the Ehteraz status are those conducted at an approved health facility in Qatar. "In case a person got infected and recovered at home without being registered in the official health system, there is no way to show this in Ehteraz," he clarified.
Asked whether the relevant blood tests could be used to prove this through the antibodies produced after Covid-19 infection, Dr al-Maslamani said while these can show that a person was infected and recovered but no date of infection could be determined in this way. "Hence, an antibody test could not be used to ascertain the date of infection so as to give the set period for acquired immunity to comply with the requirements of the system and maintain the desired protection for the person and the society," the official added.