Bahrain ‘leads GCC virus fight’

Bahrain has the highest rate of Covid-19 recoveries in the Gulf, with nearly 50 per cent of those infected recovering in the last five weeks.

Of the total 462 cases recorded since February 24, 235 people have recovered and left treatment and isolation centres until yesterday.

There are 227 active cases of Covid-19, with one remaining in critical condition and four deaths registered.

Bahrain is ahead of the rest of the GCC with 49.13pc recovery rate, followed by Kuwait (25.33pc), Oman (21.1pc), the UAE (13.6pc), Qatar (7.83pc) and Saudi Arabia (3.45pc).

Global figures show that 472,109 people have been infected since the flu-like disease, believed to have originated from wildlife in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, started spreading.

Cases

The number of recoveries worldwide stand at 114,870 and the number of fatalities has crossed 21,300.

According to latest statistics from the Health Ministry, Bahrain registered eight new cases yesterday, while 25 more people recovered.

“An additional 25 cases of people infected with Covid-19 have recovered and left the treatment and isolation centres, taking the total of recoveries to 235,” said the ministry in a statement.

“Another 47 cases left precautionary quarantine facilities, after completing the quarantine period and laboratory tests ensured they are free of the virus.

“This takes the total number of those who left the precautionary quarantine to 459 people until today.”

The latest statistics also showed that 30,621 people have so far been tested for Covid-19.

Bahrain has recorded four deaths – all citizens with underlying chronic health conditions.

The last fatality was a Bahraini man, aged 78, the first to die after contracting the virus through contact with an infected person in the country, while the other three contracted it while in Iran.

Other Gulf countries that registered deaths are Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with three and two fatalities respectively.

The World Health Organisation declared Covid-19 a pandemic on March 11, while its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyeusus announced last Monday that it was “clearly accelerating”, but with possibilities of changing its trajectory by going on the attack.

Bahrain experienced its most sombre Friday yesterday, as non-essential shops were shut, roads were empty and mosques were locked.

Citizens and residents joined hands and stayed home as part of national guidelines to limit the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

All non-essential businesses shut down on Thursday night, while a ban on public gatherings of more than five people has been enforced.

The GDN reported yesterday that inspections will be stepped up daily in co-operation with government agencies concerned to ensure that commercial establishments have downed their shutters – and punish violators.

The retail and industrial outlets will remain closed until 7pm on April 9, and will open again until April 23.

Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/788066/Bahrain-‘leads-GCC-virus-fight’