Qatar & COVID-19, Part10: January 2021, Vaccinations Begin While New Variant Poses Risks


[To my readers:  I have not completed this post.  My duties at Qatar University College of Law demanded my time and attention.  But, I promise to complete and edit this post when I have time.]

Jan. 16:  World deaths exceeded 2 million people.  It is more people than call the U.S. state of Nebraska home and about equal to the population of Slovenia. It is roughly as many people who are estimated to have died in the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. And it is more than the total number killed in the decades of Soviet and U.S.-led wars in Afghanistan combined. In addition, there have been almost 500,000 unexpected deaths globally over the past year, a review of mortality data in 35 countries shows — providing a clearer, if still incomplete, picture of the toll of the crisis. Far more people died in most of these countries than in previous years, The New York Times found. And the carnage is spreading faster now than at any other time in the pandemic. 

It took more than nine months for the world to pass one million deaths in late September, a moment that the United Nations secretary-general, António Guterres, called “mind-numbing” and “an agonizing milestone.” In just a little over three months, the virus has claimed another one million lives.

As the virus spreads, it continues to evolve.  It is the same virus, but several variants now circulating around the world are the subject of urgent scientific study as some have been shown to be even more infectious than the iteration that at one point last spring forced about four billion people to shelter at home. One variant that stymied efforts to contain outbreaks in Britain in the fall is now responsible for a flood of patients that is stretching the nation’s hospitals to the breaking point, officials say.  The World Health Organization said this week that the variant had been detected in 22 European nations, and governments across the continent continue to tighten restrictions in response to the threat. 

More than 230 million people across Europe are now under full national lockdowns, according to the W.H.O.

Even before the new variants were discovered, the death toll in the United States already dwarfed that of any other country. The virus has now killed nearly 400,000 Americans, according to a New York Times database. And with the country’s new cases still averaging about 240,000 cases per day, there are few signs of it slowing.

Federal health officials warned on Friday that a far more contagious variant of the coronavirus first identified in Britain could become the dominant source of infection in the United States by March, and would likely lead to a wrenching surge in cases and deaths that would further burden overwhelmed hospitals.

This dire forecast from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made plain what has been suspected for weeks now: The nation is in an urgent race to vaccinate as many Americans as possible before the variant spreads across the country.

Public health officials emphasized that protective measures already in place should work against the new variant, and urged Americans to redouble their vigilance in wearing face masks, in maintaining physical distance outside their households, washing hands frequently and limiting social interactions and indoor gatherings.

In the US, 10.6 million people have received the first dose of the vaccines,
covering 9.60% of the prioritized population and 3.20% of the total population.

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Jan. 25:  Qatar reported 277 new cases, with 259 community infections and 18 from travelers.  Infections total 149,296, with 4,067 active infections and 248 total deaths.  Officials tested 4,873 people for the first time (showing their contact tracing efforts).  Hospitals admitted 38 people, bringing total to 372.  ICUs admitted 4 people, bringing the total there to 39.

Police arrest 7 people for violating home quarantine rules. 

Jan. 26:  Qatar reported 299 new cases, with 264 community infections and 35 from travelers.  Infections total 149,595, with 4,223 active infections and 248 total deaths.  Officials tested 5,124 people for the first time (showing their contact tracing efforts).  Hospitals admitted 55 people, bringing total to 380.  ICUs admitted 4 people, bringing the total there to 40.

The Ministry of Culture and Sport has issued a long list of protocols for any athletic activities associated with Sports Day,

Officials continue to use social media to answer questions about the pandemic.  This time a live Istagram session.

Qatar Airways hopes to become the first airline in the Middle East to use the IATA Travel Pass ‘Digital Passport’ mobile app. It hopes to make airline travel more contactless, secure and seamless. The airline will first use the app on its Doha to Istanbul route. Passengers can receive COVID-19 test results and verify they are eligible to undertake their journey. Travellers can also safely and securely share their verified 'OK to Travel’ status with the airline and other stakeholders, even before their arrival at the airport. IATA Travel Pass will also provide up-to-date information on COVID-19 health regulations helping travelers to ensure they meet the latest government entry requirements of their destination country..

Ministry of Interior (MoI) takes action against 209 individuals for not wearing masks in public.

Qatar’s healthcare system has become the best in the region.  Qatar has been ranked among top 20 countries in Numbeo Healthcare Index by Country 2021, scoring 73 points. Taiwan is at number one globally among 93 countries covered in the survey.  Other countries in top 20 include South Korea, France, Japan, Denmark, Spain, Austria, Thailand, Australia, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Czech Republic, Belgium, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Israel and New Zealand.

Jan. 27:  Qatar reported 338 new cases, with 324 community infections and 14 from travelers.  Infections total 149,933, with 4,434 active infections and 248 total deaths.  Officials tested 6,183 people for the first time (showing their contact tracing efforts).  Hospitals admitted 49 people, bringing total to 391.  ICUs admitted 7 people, bringing the total there to 40.

People getting treated for chronic health conditions at private healthcare facilities are advised to submit a report from their attending physician at a health centre to be eligible to get medical certificate for COVID-19 vaccination.

Police arrest five persons for breaking home quarantine rules. Ministry of Interior (MoI) takes action against 197 individuals for not wearing masks in public.

Jan. 28:  Qatar reported 347 new cases, with 318 community infections and 29 from travelers.  Infections total 150,289, with 4,618 active infections and 248 total deaths.  Officials tested 5,478 people for the first time (showing their contact tracing efforts).  Hospitals admitted 5 people, bringing total to 403.  ICUs admitted 3 people, bringing the total there to 42.

Officials express concern that rise in new cases may signal the onset of a second wave.  For this reason, it is more important than ever that people adhere to preventive measures to cut off second wave before it gains momentum.

Qatar provides an explanation of its plan to offer vaccination in four stages.

90,000 people have registered for the vaccine and health care workers are reporting no serious side effects among people getting the vaccine. 

Moderna vaccine will arrive in a few days. 

Ministry of Interior (MoI) takes action against 114 individuals for not wearing masks in public.

Jan. 29:  Qatar reported 341 new cases, with 320 community infections and 21 from travelers.  Infections total 150,621, with 4,817 active infections and 248 total deaths.  Officials tested 5,224 people for the first time (showing their contact tracing efforts).  Hospitals admitted 38 people, bringing total to 382.  ICUs admitted 10 people, bringing the total there to 46.

Ministry of Interior (MoI) takes action against 231 individuals, the highest number to date, for not wearing masks in public.

Jan. 30:  Qatar reported 363 new cases, with 330 community infections and 33 from travelers.  Infections total 150,984, with 5,068 active infections and 248 total deaths.  Officials tested 4,002 people for the first time (showing their contact tracing efforts).  Hospitals admitted 63 people, bringing total to 423.  ICUs admitted 4 people, bringing the total there to 46.

To avoid a second wave of infection, officials ask urgently for people to adhere to precautionary measures

Ministry of Interior (MoI) takes action against 166 individuals for not wearing masks in public.
 
Jan. 31:  Qatar reported 351 new cases, with 310 community infections and 41 from travelers.  Infections total 151,335, with 5,281 active infections and 248 total deaths.  Officials tested 4,751 people for the first time (showing their contact tracing efforts).  Hospitals admitted 47 people, bringing total to 461.  ICUs admitted 7 people, bringing the total there to 51.

Qatar has seen an 85 percent increase in the number of people admitted to hospital with Covid-19 complications.
The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs advised people attending mosque to follow these precautions:
  • Make sure to perform ablution at home
  • Show Ehtiraz at the entrance
  • Even if you are wearing gloves, avoid shaking hands
  • Bring your own prayer mat and place it at designated areas
  • Make sure to wear a mask while you are in the mosque
  • Bring your own Mushaf with you, or read the Quran on your mobile
Ministry of Interior (MoI) takes action against 242 individuals for not wearing masks in public by referring these individuals to the Public Prosecution. So far, 8,190 people have been referred to the Public Prosecution for not wearing masks and 277 people for not following the limit of people inside a vehicle.

Dr. Muna Al Maslamani, Medical Director of the Communicable Disease Center at Hamad Medical Corporation, has said that a person infected with COVID-19 cannot be given the vaccine until certain period of time after recovery. The natural immunity of the infected people lasts for a period that may be three months, she added. She also discussed the mild symptoms they have seen after vaccination. 

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