Qatar & COVID-19, Part 12: Officials Reinstate Restrictions as the Variant Viruses Increase Infection & Hospitalization Rates

 

Requests for Mindful Behavior 

Gave Way to Imposed Restrictions

My teaching schedule has made it more difficult to provide daily updates on the Qatar numbers. Accordingly,  I am providing the numbers for the first day of the month, the last day of the month, and then on each Thursday of the month. This comparison provides context and shows the dramatic rise in infections in the new year, apparently attributable to the arrival in Qatar of the variants of the virus, including the UK and South African variants. 

These weekly numbers will suggest trends in infections, hospitalizations, and deaths.  Other entries will capture announcements and other developments in Qatar and around the world as countries scramble to get vaccines into the arms of citizens and residents.

My social media feed shows the ongoing tension between the people asking for patience and resolve and those people showing economic, psychological, and emotional distress at the prospect of even greater restrictions that Qatari officials imposed effective March 26.  By the end of March, people expected Qatari officials to announce a full lock-down, perhaps through the Ramadan and Eid holiday. 

On a personal level, my plans to retire to Malaysia or Ecuador collapsed when I could not get a visa before I leave Qatar in June 2021.  I am now planning a move back to the U.S. during the midst of this pandemic.  On a hopeful note, I was fully vaccinated by the end of January, and I wait to see what the science reveals about the durability of the antibodies now circulating in my immune system. I hope they last through my move, making it far safer for me.  Insh'allah. 

Recent research shows the vaccine provides 100 percent protection among adolescents and keeps vaccinated people from spreading the virus.  This is all very good news.  Vaccination is the way we end this pandemic. 

Qatar's Response to the Pandemic:  The Ongoing Timeline 

What follows is a time-line I created to track mostly Qatar's response to the pandemic,  Tangentially and for comparison, it refers to developments in the US, China, EU, and other countries.  For its sourcing, I have relied on The Peninsula Qatar, Gulf News, Gulf Times, Qatar Tribune, Al Jazeera, the New York Times, and the Washington Post.  I often reproduce content from the original source without using quotation marks, but I always include a link to the original source.

I include photos that tie to the more important posts, so you can use them to help locate specific information.

I pick-up my daily updates here.   My updates for December 31, 2019 to April 30, 2020, appear in my Part 1 post.  Posts for Part 2, May 1 to May 31, 2020 appear here.  Posts for Part 3, June 1 to June 30, 2020 appear here.  Posts for Part 4, July 1 to July 31, 2020 appear here.  Posts for Part 5, August 1 to August 31, 2020 appear here.  Posts for Part 6, September 1 to September 30, 2020 appear here.  Posts for Part 7, October 1 to October 31, 2020 appear here.  Posts for Part 8, November 1 to November 30, 2020 appear here.  Posts for Part 9, December 1 to December 31, 2020 appear here.  Posts for Part 10, January 1 to January 31, 2021 appear here.  Posts for Part 11, February 1 to February 28, 2021 appear here. 

March 1:  Qatar reported 473 new cases, with 444 community infections and 29 from travelers.  Infections total 164,137, with 9,817 active infections and 259 total deaths. Officials tested 6,373 people for the first time (showing their contact tracing efforts).  Hospitals admitted 98 people, bringing total to 686.  ICUs admitted 7 people, bringing the total there to 99. 

A new COVID-19 Drive-Through Vaccination Center was opened today in Lusail as part of the efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The vaccination process for visitors in the new center includes registration and assessment, vaccination, and observation.

Officials booked 443 people for violating precautionary measures. 

March 2:  The Ministry of Public Health has announced that 61 ‎percent of people over 70 years of age have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine ‎dose since the start of Qatar’s National COVID-19 Vaccination Program.‎

Officials booked 304 people for precautionary measure violations.

March 3:  Active cases under treatment crosses over 10,000 mark. 

Drive-through center will only offer second dose of vaccine. 

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has announced that it has lowered the age threshold for COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to 50 years of age.

The Ministry affirmed that an employee or teacher will be allowed to enter a school only after confirming with the Ehteraz app oe a certificate that he or she has been vaccinated. Alternatively, the employee can bring proof that he or she has done a weekly Covid-19 examination.

Officials booked 367 people for violating precautionary measures. 

March 4:  Qatar reported 475 new cases, with 418 community infections and 57 from travelers.  Infections total 165,546, with 10,216 active infections and 260 total deaths. Officials tested 6,901 people for the first time (showing their contact tracing efforts).  Hospitals admitted 92 people, bringing total to 763.  ICUs admitted 13 people, bringing the total there to 111. 

Someone must have complained.  Here is information about quarantine hotel packages. Discover Qatar (DQ) has to date processed over 50,000 refunds for hotel quarantine packages and assisted over 330,000 people to complete their quarantine successfully in 65 hotels.

Officials booked 450 people for precautionary measure violations.

March 5:  The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) affirmed that it is possible to travel abroad immediately after receiving the second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. The Ministry also further reiterated that exemption from quarantine arrangements apply as long as the return date from travel us 14 days after the second dose.

People with obesity are more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 and have higher risks for complications, said an expert while emphasizing that obese individuals if in the eligible category to vaccine against the virus.

March 6:  The Drive-through Vaccination Centre in Lusail witnessing a big turnout especially by women.

Officials booked 734 people for precautionary measure violations.

March 7:  Officials announce exemptions from hotel quarantine for vaccinated persons.  Qatar Airways Holidays, in partnership with Discover Qatar has announced that children up to 16 years old will be exempted from hotel quarantine only if accompanied by a parent who has received the full course of the COVID-19 vaccine in Qatar. But the child will be required to quarantine at home for 7 days, according to the website. Any adults (18 or over) who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine from a medical facility in Qatar, with the second vaccine received at least 14 days before the date of entry into Qatar, are exempted from quarantine.

Officials booked 495 people for precautionary measure violations.

Officials clarify that the present stage of the vaccination program targets the teaching and administrative staff in schools and emphasized that people should avoid going to the QNCC vaccination center without an invitation.

March 8:  The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) administered 327,582 COVID-19 vaccine doses since the start of the COVID-19 National Vaccination Program.  10% of Qatar's adult population has already received at least one vaccine dose.  Officials describe the vaccine program and eligibility.

Official urges family members to help elderly get vaccinated. 

Officials booked 368 people for precautionary measure violations.

March 9:  Active cases under treatment now above 11,000.

Second vaccination shots are being given.  At present the priority groups eligible for vaccinations are people aged 50 years of age and above regardless of their health conditions, people with moderate chronic medical conditions, additional healthcare professionals and other key workers in different ministries and industries, including teachers and administrative staff in education.  “The vaccine is offered in all 27 health centers by invitation only according to the phased vaccination plan,” said the Ministry.  “The targeted groups will receive an SMS invitation to come to their health center on a specified date and time,” the Ministry clarified.  The Ministry has prioritized vaccinating teachers and school administration staff at Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC).

Ministry of Public Health has updated the previously announced COVID-19 quarantine policy. They have extended the validity of the vaccine in regard to the quarantine exemption period has been extended from the previously approved three months to six months, starting 14 days after the second dose.  The full quarantine exemption criteria are as follows:

• 14 days must have passed after receiving the second dose of the vaccine before returning into Qatar and a negative PCR test is required on return to Qatar following travel.

• Individuals may travel any time after receiving the second dose.

• The validity of the vaccine to grant quarantine exemption is valid for a period of six months, starting 14 days after the second dose.

• Non-vaccinated children below 16 years of age returning to Qatar from non-green list countries with fully vaccinated parents are permitted to home quarantine for a period of 7 days.

The exemption does not currently apply to people vaccinated in other countries.

Officials booked 370 people for precautionary measure violations.

March 10:  About 12% of the population in the State of Qatar, who are 16+ years old, have received at least one dose of the vaccine, a senior official said today during a press conference to announce the latest developments about Covid-19 pandemic. More than 45% of teachers and administrators working in public and private schools have received the vaccine so far. “More than 70% of health workers at HMC and more than 67% of primary care workers have been vaccinated,” Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal said during a press conference.

Qatar is recording positive Covid-19 cases with the new variant known as B.1.1.7 (UK strain), a senior health official said in a press conference today.

Officials booked 414 people for precautionary measure violations.

March 11:  Qatar reported 468 new cases, with 428 community infections and 40 from travelers.  Infections total 168,829, with 11,323 active infections and 264 total deaths. Officials tested 6,326 people for the first time (showing their contact tracing efforts).  Hospitals admitted 94 people, bringing total to 748.  ICUs admitted 10 people, bringing the total there to 119.  Health officials did not provide information about vaccine delivery.

The weekly rate of COVID-19 infections in Qatar has increased four times compared to cases reported in January this year. “The weekly infections rate of severe cases which need hospital admissions increased three times compared to cases recorded in January this year,” said Dr. Al Khal. He said that the critical cases which need ICU admissions increased three times compared to the rate noted in January 2021. 12 percent of the population of Qatar, above 16 years, has received at least first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. So far, over 45 percent of school staff has received the vaccine. “Over 70 percent healthcare workers at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and over 67 percent working with Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) have received vaccines,” said Dr. Al Khal.

Officials booked 397 people for precautionary measure violations.

March 12:  Qatar University’s (QU) Biomedical Research Center (BRC) organised a lecture on ‘SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine design.

March 14:  Sheikh Dr Thaqil bin Sayer Al Shammari, Deputy Head of the Court of Cassation in the Supreme Judiciary Council and Head of Shariah Committee the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, said that the vaccine does not break Ramadan fast because it is taken intramuscularly and not taken orally and it is not nutritious. “Based on this, the committee said that it is permissible to take the vaccine against the virus (Covid 19) during the day in Ramadan for a fasting person,” the post added.

March 15:  The Shura Council discussed a draft law on health care services in the country. Under the draft law, health insurance is mandatory to ensure the provision of basic health care services to expatriates and visitors to the country. It is also not permissible to issue an entry visa for an expatriate or visitor, renew it, grant or renew a residence permit, and it is not permissible to employ expatriates, except after submitting proof they hold compulsory health insurance for the duration of the stay. The draft law provides for the provision of health care services to beneficiaries in emergency situations without requiring them to pay any amounts until the danger is overcome even if the service provider is not within the network of health care service providers to the beneficiary, and that this does not prejudice the right of the health care service provider to refer to a company insurance, or the employer or the recruiter, as the case may be, to pay the cost of this service. The Council decided to refer the aforementioned draft law to the Public Services and Utilities Committee for study and to submit a report on it to the Council.

March 16: Convalescent Plasma Therapy explained here.  The article explains how to donate plasma.

Officials booked 355 people for violating precautionary measures.

March 17:  In an effort to support the growing number of patients requiring home isolation as a result of the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Qatar, Hamad Medical Corporation has launched a Centralized Home Isolation Service for COVID-19 patients in Qatar, operated by the Communicable Disease Center (CDC).  Dr Muna Al Maslamani, Medical Director of the CDC, explained that isolating people with COVID-19 is one of the most important strategies in limiting the spread of the virus. Through the new Centralized Home Isolation Service for COVID-19 patients our medical teams will telephone approved home isolation patients during their isolation period to check on their health status and if needed provide them with medical care. Additionally, patients can call the CDC Home Isolation Hotline (4025 1666) to speak to a physician 24 hours a day.

UK will not accept flights offered by Qatar Airways. Qatar has joined the UK red list.  More here.

People without car can take their second dose in a taxi at Lusail COVID-19 Drive-Through Vaccination Center.

Officials booked 398 people for violating precautionary measures.

March 18:   Qatar reported 499 new cases, with 419 community infections and 80 from travelers.  Infections total 172,200, with 12,458 active infections and 270 total deaths. Officials tested 6,374 people for the first time (showing their contact tracing efforts).  Hospitals admitted 157 people, bringing total to 1,005.  ICUs admitted 29 people, bringing the total there to 140.  Health officials provided 18,635 doses of the vaccine in the last 24 hours with total doses at 538,441.

Officials booked 433 people for violating precautionary measures. 

Recovered COVID-19 patients are encouraged to donate plasma for the treatment of ill patients. 

March 19:  Officials booked 416 people for violating precautionary measures. 

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education issued a circular to the directors of public and private schools and kindergartens on the amendment of school hours for students and working hours for teaching and administrative staff. The Ministry has set student attendance at 30% of the approved capacity of the school building, as of Sunday, March 21, with the continuation of the blended education system, and the continued commitment to applying all the approved precautionary measures.

March 21: The Ministry of Public Health in its weekly update of COVID-19 Vaccination Program said that one in six adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine. It said that 18.2% of the total population (16 years and above) have received at least one dose of the vaccine. According to the report 134,498 doses have been administered in the last seven days and a total of 594,613 doses administered since the start of the program. Also, 66.8% of people over 60 years of age have received at least one dose of the vaccine.Among those over 70 years of age, 69.4% have received at least one dose and 70% of people above the age of 80 years have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

The Ministry has included a COVID-19 vaccination feedback section (https://vaccinefeedback-covid19.moph.gov.qa/Home/Index) in the microsite of MoPH dedicated for details about vaccination.

 

March 22:  Officials urge vaccinated people to continue to use precautionary measures because 5 percent of vaccinated people could become seek given the high, but not perfect, rate of immunity conferred by vaccines.  

Officials booked 409 people for violating precautionary measures. 

March 23:  Qatar Airways has updated their RT-PCR test requirement. The airline said passengers from 13 countries in the list need not present a negative test report before boarding with effect from March 16. The airline previously required all passenger to produce a negative RT-PCR test report before departing.

Discover Qatar (DQ) continues to ensure returning travellers to Qatar are quarantined in a safe environment having taken bookings in March for 85,000 guests in 60 hotels and Mekaines locations. The monthly number of returning guests is more than double the number who quarantined in November as additional available quarantine facilities become available.

Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) clarified in a post that there is no evidence that any of the vaccines can affect the fertility of women or men.

March 24:  Officials announce an 82% increase in people in ICUs with COVID-19 in Qatar.  “One of the characteristics of the strain coming from the United Kingdom is that patients experience more severe complications than before and stay for longer periods in the hospital,” he explained. “We are in the midst of the second wave of Coronavirus and the new strain is more severe and this requires cooperation, solidarity and commitment to precautionary measures,” Dr Al Mohamed added.

Officials predict an increasing number of daily infections over the next two weeks.  Numbers have risen to the 500s in the past several weeks.  

Officials acknowledge the existence of the South African variant in Qatar.  It is more contagious and my cause more severe disease. 

Qatar Reintroduces PrecautionaryMeasures To Combat The Spread Of COVID-19:  The Council of Ministers decided to reintroduce certain precautionary measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Qatar. The measures come into effect from Friday, March 26, 2021. 

1. Depending on work requirements, private sector employers will continue to be required to allow no more than 80% of their employees in the workspace, with the remaining 20% working remotely.
2. Depending on work requirements, public sector employers will continue to be required to allow no more than 80% of their employees in the workspace, with the remaining 20% working remotely.
3. Meetings for private and public sector employees will be limited to a maximum of 5 people, and social distancing and mask-wearing precautions must be observed.
4. All citizens and residents must continue to wear masks when leaving the house, unless the person is driving alone in a vehicle.
5. All citizens and residents must continue to show their EHTERAZ status when leaving the house for any reason.
6. Mosques will continue to remain open for prayers, but toilets and ablution facilities are to remain closed.
7. Social gatherings in closed places will be discouraged and no more than 5 people will be permitted to gather in open places.
8. Only members of the same family may gather in winter camps.
9. No weddings in either open or closed locations will be permitted.
10. All playgrounds and sports equipment in public parks, beaches and the corniche will be closed, and any gatherings in such locations will be limited to members of the same family or a maximum of 2 people.
11. Occupancy in vehicles will continue to be limited to 4 people, including the driver, with the exception of families.
12. Buses will continue to be limited to half occupancy, and precautionary measures must be observed by all occupants.
13. Occupancy on the Metro and other public transportation will be limited to 30% capacity, and occupancy will be reduced to 20% on Fridays and Saturdays.
14. Driving schools will be closed.
15. Cinemas and theaters will be limited a maximum of 20% capacity, and no one under the age of 18 is permitted. Theatrical performances must first obtain approval from the Ministry of Public Health.
16. Private schools and training centres will only be permitted to provide online services.
17. Nurseries and childcare facilities will continue to operate at a reduced capacity of up to 30%.
18. Capacity in public museums and libraries will be limited to 30% capacity.
19. Sports team training will be prohibited, whether in open or closed locations, except for training related to local or international events approved for teams within the “bubble system”.
20. The organising of local and international sports events will require prior approval from the Ministry of Public Health.
21. Exhibitions, events, and conferences will require prior approval from the Ministry of Public Health.
22. Capacity in malls and commercial complexes will be limited to a maximum 30% capacity and children under 12 are not permitted to enter. All food courts must close although they are able to operate for deliveries. All prayer areas within these complexes will be closed.
23. Capacity in restaurants and cafes providing food indoors will be limited to 15% capacity, while restaurants with a "Clean Qatar" programme may have a capacity of up to 50%. Capacity outdoors will be limited to 30%.
24. Boat renting services will continue to be suspended except for members of the same family residing in the same house. Private boats and yachts may be used but only by members of the same family residing in the same house. 
25. Capacity at traditional markets will be reduced to 30% capacity and children under the age of 12 are not permitted to enter.
26. Capacity at wholesale markets will remain at 30% capacity but children under the age of 12 are not permitted to enter.
27. Capacity at salon and hairdressing establishments will remain at 30% capacity.
28. Amusement parks and entertainment centres will be closed.
29. All health clubs, spas, saunas, training facilities and massage services will be closed, with the exception of gyms for use by hotel guests.
30. All swimming pools and water parks will be closed.
31. Capacity at private health care facilities will be reduced to 70% capacity.
32. Capacity of services provided by cleaning and hospitality companies will be reduced to 30% during working hours, and the provision of such services in homes will be limited to one person only.
33. All precautionary measures and requirements must continue to be observed.

Research shows the need for tests that can detect the variants to ensure effective contact tracing and infection control. 

Officials booked 552 people for failing to wear masks, limit number of people in a vehicle, or for not installing the Ehteraz phone app. 

March 25:  Qatar reported 587 new cases, with 483 community infections and 104 from travelers.  Infections total 175,919, with 13,823 active infections and 281 total deaths.  Three new deaths occurred among people older than 76 years.  Officials tested 7,716 people for the first time (showing their contact tracing efforts).  Hospitals admitted 201 people, bringing total to 1,291.  ICUs admitted 30 people, bringing the total there to 233.  Health officials provided 20,953 doses of the vaccine in the last 24 hours with total doses at 679, 278.

Qatar Stars League (QSL) has decided not to allow fans at the final of 2020-21 season Ooredoo Cup to be played between Al Sailiya and Al Rayyan on Friday, March 26, 2021, at the Al Sadd Stadium.

Officials recommend that families and close friends agree to create social bubbles that protects them.  It requires all persons in the bubble to limit or exclude interaction with people outside the bubble.  This approach would allow families to meet during Ramadan and Eid, while reducing the risk to loved ones, especially elders.  Last year, officials announced the height of the infections in May only to see infection rates shoot up during Ramadan and Eid by 45,000 infections.  It took officials another 6 weeks of hard lock-down to get the pandemic back in control.  

Officials booked 335 people for failing to wear masks, keep socially distant, or for not installing the Ehteraz phone app. 

Additional hotels added for quarantine. Sixty-two hotels now available. 

March 26:  New restrictions take effect today.  See post for March 24 for details. 

Rapid testing kits  will be used in schools over the coming period to test teachers who are yet to receive their COVID-19 vaccine doses. She added that the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at HMC has already began cooperating with Primary Healthcare Corporation (PHCC) to train Health Hospital School's nurses on using the manual rapid antigen test kit as a precautionary measure with unvaccinated teachers on a weekly basis. She stressed that adopting the new method with teachers aims to provide a safe and healthy environment for teachers and students.

Officials arrest three persons for violating home quarantine. 

March 27:  The National COVID-19 Vaccination Program and we are now administering more than 130,000 vaccine doses a week in more than 35 vaccination sites across Qatar.

Officials open a second drive through vaccination center in Al Wakra.

March 28:  Officials explain why the variants are causing more infections and more severe illness. 

Officials explain the drive through vaccination procedure. 

It said that 21.9% of the total population (16 years and above) have received at least one dose of the vaccine.  According to the report 145,696 doses have been administered in the last seven days and a total of 740,309 doses administered since the start of the program.  Also, 71.6% of people over 60 years of age have received at least one dose of the vaccine.  Among those over 70 years of age, 72% have received at least one dose and 71.6% of people above the age of 80 years have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Officials arrest a person for breaking home quarantine.  Officials booked 566 people for violating precautionary measures. 

Qatar is one of the first countries that have implemented the expanded bubble system for sports events by including large number of teams competitors for several sport events. The implementation of the bubble system has proved to be successful generally, however its attainment also depends on individuals’ willingness to adhere to the strict protocols.

March 29: “Since the middle of March, the number of people receiving life-saving medical treatment in our intensive care units has more than doubled and we now have over 280 people with COVID-19 in intensive care. To put this into perspective, at the peak of the first wave in May 2020, we had around 220 patients in intensive care. It is clear that people are becoming sicker and experiencing more severe symptoms in this second wave of the virus,” said Dr. Ahmed Mohammed, Acting Chairman of HMC’s Intensive Care Units. “The new UK variant has contributed to the increase in the number of new daily cases in Qatar. And, worryingly, we are now seeing a very high number of people becoming very sick due to COVID-19 and requiring admission to hospital to manage their symptoms and even admission into ICU for life-saving treatment,” he had said during a press conference last week.

The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) is now administering the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine across all 27 health centers, as well as at Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC), with teams from HMC team administering the vaccine in Lusail City and Al Wakra Drive-Through Vaccination Centers.

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has treated 1,883 COVID-19 patients with convalescent plasma in Qatar.

Officials arrested one person for breaking home quarantine.  They booked 464 people for other violations of the precuationary measures. 

March 30:  A Qatari health official has called for a full lockdown in the country to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Ahmed al-Mohammed, acting chairman of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Intensive Care Units, said on Monday that Qatar was witnessing a peak in the number of cases since the first wave, including a reportedly large number of infections among children under the age of 14.  “The number of cases in the intensive care units in February was 53. We now have more than 300 cases. To put this into perspective, at the peak of the first wave in May 2020, we had about 220 patients in intensive care. It is clear that people are becoming sicker and experiencing more severe symptoms in this second wave of the virus.”  On Tuesday, the country reported 720 new cases and three deaths with daily totals steadily rising in recent weeks.  “A full lockdown, such as what we had last summer where the roads were empty and people worked from home, is the best way to stem the spread of the virus,” al-Mohammed said.

People under age 40 may now get the vaccine.  Qatar has administered 765,000 doses so far. 

Officials booked 340 people for failing to adhere to precautionary measures. 

Health authorities have urged the public to reduce physical visits to healthcare facilities, and instead use virtual and telemedicine services for non-emergency cases. The advice has come amid rising number of COVID-19 infections. The dedicated, round-the-clock hotline number 16000 continues to operate and answer all questions and inquiries related to COVID-19.

A growing body of evidence suggesting that the vaccines not only reduce the risk of getting seriously ill with COVID-19, but can prevent catching the virus in the first place. “If you can’t get infected, you can’t infect anyone else, which means the vaccines can reduce transmission as well as the disease,” says Marm Kilpatrick, an infectious diseases researcher at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who was not involved in the study

March 31: Qatar reported 780 new cases, with 662 community infections and 118 from travelers. Infections total 179,964, with 15,552 active infections and 291 total deaths. Officials tested 7,203 people for the first time (showing their contact tracing efforts). Hospitals admitted 239 people, bringing total to 1,668. ICUs admitted 51 people, bringing the total there to 338. Health officials provided 25,808 doses of the vaccine in the last 24 hours with total doses at 816,484.

The Shura Cabinet decided to stop services at private health facilities except for emergency cases as part of Covid-19 precuationary measures. The new decision will come into effect from Friday, April 2, 2021.

After a video was posted on social media showing men chest-to-back while waiting in line for the vaccine, officials responded.  The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) stressed that the Coronavirus, Covid-19, vaccine is only given to people who have received invitations to get vaccinated and who have met the criteria set forth in the framework of the national program for vaccination against Corona.  "We are aware of a serious overcrowding incident earlier today at the QNCC owing to a significant number of people arriving at the same time for vaccination without an appointment. The high turnout temporarily resulted in a situation where social distancing was not being followed: this is not acceptable.

New clinical trials showed that Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine elicits "100% efficacy and robust antibody responses" in adolescents from 12-15 years old, the drug company announced Wednesday. The trial included 2,260 trial participants; the results are even better than earlier responses from participants ages 16-25.

Officials arrested two persons for breaking home quarantine.

The last time Qatar had cases near 780 per day was on July 3, 2020 when it had 756 cases.  Qatar was then in the Phase 2 of re-opening. In March 2021, officials imposed what I am calling Phase 2.5 restrictions after the Qatari population had enjoyed Phase 4, Part 1 reopening since September 1, 2020.  If the rumors are true, officials may impose Phase 1 restrictions or, if deemed necessary,  an essential business lockdown to try to control the significant increases in cases.  I speculate that officials will impose tight restrictions through the Eid holiday.  My research revealed that Qatar had controlled the first wave of infection by May 2020.  Then came Ramadan and Eid.  During that time, cases spiked, with 45,000 new cases.  It took another six weeks of hard lock-down to get the pandemic under control. 

In the US, COVID-19 was the third-underlying cause of death in 2020 after heart disease and cancer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed on Wednesday. A pair of reports published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report sheds new light on the approximately 375,000 U.S. deaths attributed to COVID-19 last year, and highlights the pandemic's disproportionate impact on communities of color — a point CDC Director Rochelle Walensky emphasized at a White House COVID-19 Response Team briefing on Wednesday. She said deaths related to COVID-19 were higher among American Indian and Alaskan Native persons, Hispanics, Blacks and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander persons than whites. She added that "among nearly all of these ethnic and racial minority groups, the COVID-19 related deaths were more than double the death rate of non-Hispanic white persons."

New clinical trials showed that Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine elicits "100% efficacy and robust antibody responses" in adolescents from 12 to 15 years old, the drug company announced Wednesday. The trial included 2,260 participants; the results are even better than earlier responses from participants ages 16 to 25.

An estimated 10% to 30% of people who get COVID-19 suffer from lingering symptoms of the disease, or what's known as "long COVID." The vaccine may help some of these sufferers by reducing symptoms.