During the last 24 hours, 13 new cases have been admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) due to complications resulting from the infection, bringing the total number of people currently in ICUs to 175, MoPH said.
The Ministry stated that the new cases are linked to expatriate workers infected as a result of contact with individuals who were previously infected, in addition to recording new cases of infection among groups of workers in different regions. The new cases have been identified after conducting investigations by the research and investigation teams of the MoPH that contributed to early detection of cases.
Covid-19 cases have also increased among citizens and residents as a result of contact with infected family members who had been infected in the workplace or through visits and family gatherings.
The new confirmed cases of infection have been introduced to complete isolation in the various medical facilities in the country, where they receive the necessary healthcare according to the health status of each case.
The MoPH revealed that the number of positive cases among citizens and residents witnessed a significant rise, with the number of infections having doubled relating to family gatherings, visits and sharing meals together with relatives and extended families.
The Ministry stated that the two new deaths were of a 50 year-old and a 43 year year-old, both of whom were receiving treatment in intensive care. The MoPH extends its sincere condolences and great sympathy to the families of the two patients.
The Ministry said that Qatar has now entered the peak phase of the virus outbreak, which is seeing a rise in the number of infections recorded daily, stressing the necessity of adherence to, more than ever before, the recommended preventive and social measures.
The MoPH also stressed the importance for the elderly or those suffering from chronic diseases and their family members to follow strict measures to reduce the chances of infection, including refraining from social visits during the rest of Ramadan as well during Eid al-Fitr.
The MoPH stressed that because the Covid-19 outbreak is at the peak stage in Qatar, it is important not to leave the house except when absolutely essential. It also underlined the importance of adhering to all protective measures against virus infection, including maintaining social distancing both in the workplace and public places, as well as wearing a medical mask and avoiding social visits to reduce the risk of contracting the virus.
According to a tweet from the MoPH, with a total of 5,160 people tested for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, as many as 180,642 have been tested so far in Qatar. The total number of infected people in Qatar since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak is 40,481.
The total number of current active cases is 32,569. The total number of people currently under acute hospital care is 1,719, including 294 acute hospital admissions in the last 24 hours. The total number of Covid-19 deaths so far in Qatar is 19.
The MoPH further urged anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 to either quickly contact the 16000 helpline or go directly to one of the designated health centres for testing for the virus. This is important as the earlier the disease is detected the easier it will be to receive the right treatment and recover from it.
The four main testing centres are Muaither Health Centre; Rawdat Al Khalil Health Centre; Um Slal Health Centre; and Al Gharafa Health Centre.
The MoPH also urged the public to regularly visit its website to view the latest information and instructions related to Covid-19.