Second centre for virus tests opens at BIC

A SECOND centre to facilitate Covid-19 tests for the public has been set up at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), Sakhir.

The makeshift centre open until March 20 will cater to people entering the country who are currently required to undergo three reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests.

While the first one will be conducted at the airport on arrival, the second test – on the fifth day – and the third – on the 10th day – will be conducted at the new centre, said Health Ministry Under-Secretary Dr Waleed Al Manea.

Since February 22, all travellers are required to undergo an additional RT-PCR test on the fifth day of arrival, in addition to other mandatory tests, while those spending more than 10 days in the kingdom are obliged to take a third mandatory test on the 10th day of stay.

Speaking at an online Press conference, Dr Al Manea urged the public to strictly adhere to regulations and take vaccination, citing that this would ease the “pressure” on frontline healthcare workers.

The capacity of isolation and treatment centres is 5,569 beds, of which 1,502 (27pc) are occupied.

“A total of 4,750 people are in home isolation. Recovery rate is very high at 94.84pc while death rate is just 0.37pc of the existing cases,” he said.

Source: https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/939011/Second-centre-for-virus-tests-opens-at-BIC