Qatar is at the start of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, fuelled by the Omicron variant, a health official has said.
“Most of the new COVID-19 cases are related to the Omicron variant, which has been noted to be more transmissible in Qatar and other countries,” said Dr. Soha Al Bayat, Head of Vaccination, Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).
Speaking in a Qatar TV programme yesterday, Dr. Soha said a person infected with the previous variants of the virus could infect one or two persons. However, someone with Omicron could transmit the infection to three to six people.
“According to the primary available information, Omicron is a fast spreader but the symptoms are mild or moderate without any serious complications.”
She said COVID-19 cases have been rising since November in Qatar, but have significantly risen in the past ten to 14 days.
Most of the new cases are in people who have either not been vaccinated, including children, or have not received a booster shot despite the passage of six months after their second dose of the vaccine, the official said.
She added that antibodies from the primary vaccination start to decrease after six months and urged the public to take the vaccine as soon as possible.
She said all four people who succumbed to coronavirus during the last week were completely unvaccinated. “No one of them took even a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine."
Similarly, Dr. Soha said most of the COVID-19 patients being admitted to hospitals and ICUs are those unvaccinated or vaccinated but without a booster shot.
She said viral infection spreads more easily in winter. “We were expecting an increase in number of cases during this period, which is a global increase,” she said, adding, “We are in the beginning of a third wave in Qatar.
“Although symptoms of Omicron are mild without any serious complications, we must not underestimate it. We do not say that it is just an ordinary flu because you can infect the elderly and infants.”
The MoPH official said people showing symptoms should take them seriously and rush to health facilities for a PCR test or a rapid antigen test, which are effective in detecting the infection. “Tests are available at over 130 health facilities, including at 28 primary health care centers, as well as private clinics and hospitals. The PCR test costs QR160 while fee for rapid antigen test does not exceed QR50.”
She said the PCR test is the most accurate and is considered the gold standard in detecting an infection, but rapid antigen tests is also 80% effective.
Dr. Soha said as the symptoms of Omicron infection are mild, it is safe to isolate a person at home.
The patient will isolate in a room with attached bathroom for 5 days, completely away from the family.
“After the passage of first five days, an isolated person can walk out from the quarantine room while wearing a mask but will have meals in the isolated room.”
Dr. Soha said home-isolating COVID-19 patients can call 16000 helpline anytime if they need medial assistance.
