Minister of Public Health, H E Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari, was briefed on health sector’s ongoing preventive measures and monitoring for cases of the novel coronavirus during a visit to Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Communicable Disease Center (CDC) yesterday.
The Ministry of Public Health is working with HMC and Primary Health Care Corporation in close collaboration with all stakeholders, including Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport, to ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect Qatar’s population from the novel coronavirus that has caused an epidemic in China and has spread to other countries.
During her visit, Her Excellency received an update on the ongoing measures in place across the country to manage the threat of novel coronavirus 2019. The CDC was opened in 2016 and is the first facility of its kind in the region. The purpose-built facility is equipped to care for patients with rare or unknown, highly communicable diseases and any patient with suspected novel coronavirus 2019 is admitted to the CDC while awaiting their test results.
There are no confirmed cases of novel coronavirus 2019 in Qatar and the risk remains low for residents who have not travelled to China in the past 14 days. Qatar has taken all required preventive measures and is closely following the protocols and guidelines set out by international bodies, including the World Health Organisation.
While the risk for infection remains low, any resident who experiences fever, cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing, and has traveled to China, or had contact with an infected person, in the last 14 days should immediately call the MoPH hotline on 6674 0948 or 6674 0951 for further assistance or visit their nearest primary health center.