New Covid-19 variant found in Bahrain; Indoor dining suspended for three weeks
The new Covid-19 variant has been found in Bahrain, revealed a top health official today.
Health Ministry Under-Secretary and National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (Covid-19) senior member Dr Waleed Al Manea, however, did not provide any details.
Taskforce monitoring committee head Lieutenant Colonel Dr Manaf Al Qahtani said the new variant is spreading rapidly and has the ability to mutate quickly.
He stated that this announcement wasn't to cause panic but to ensure measures are implemented.
"The variant doesn’t mean a new virus but a gene mutation that has emerged within the original virus," he said.
"Variations in coronaviruses are slow as opposed to the regular flu but we need to be responsible.
"This variant is spreading quickly and has the ability to increase the speed of gene mutations and the spread of the disease.
"But these are still under study."
Meanwhile, Salmaniya Medical Complex Infectious and Internal Disease Consultant Dr Jameela Al Salman stressed the importance of adhering to precautionary measures imposed since the start of the pandemic.
She revealed that it is critical to wear face masks and avoid social gatherings.
He was addressing a Press conference from the Crown Prince Centre for Training and Medical Research at the BDF Hospital.
He urged people to adhere to precautionary measures in place to combat the spread of the pandemic.
She also urged people to register for the vaccine.
