File photo used for representation only. Photo credit: Salim Matramkot/ The Peninsula
Doha: Healthcare professionals have urged the public to follow all preventive measures to prevent a potential second wave of COVID-19 in the country.
Medical, nursing and public health professions across the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Primary Health care Centre (PHCC) joined the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in a campaign reiterating the importance of adhering to precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“We urge members of the community to continue their commitment to preventive measures: social distancing, wearing a mask, and avoiding close contact with others, crowded places and confined closed spaces where other people congregate,” said Manager at Umm Ghuwailina Health Centre, Dr. Shawqiya Al Majid yesterday.
Speaking to The Peninsula, she highlighted that the numbers of daily COVID-19 cases had increase over last weeks and it was more important than ever that people adhere to preventive measures to cut off second wave before it gains momentum.
“When the number of cases started to decrease few months before, people thought that they can be free and go back to normal daily activity without following preventive measures. But that is not the reality. In reality is not over yet. We still need to stay safe,” said Dr. Al Majid.
She said that even people who have been infected with COVID-19 virus earlier should continue to wear masks and keep social distancing as they could transmit the virus to others. “Everyone should wear masks,” Dr. Al Majid said. “If we are learning anything, it’s that we do have proof that masks and distancing are effective. It is a really important message to get out. We should prevent a potential second wave of COVID-19,” she said.
Dr. Al Majid also encouraged people to get the COVID-19 vaccine when they are eligible.
“The COVID-19 vaccination campaign is being implemented in four phases. At present, we are in the first phase and the eligiblity criteria for the vaccine are elderly people and those with chronic conditions and healthcare professionals at front lines. During the other phases more people will be eligible to receive the vaccine and we encourage public to get the vaccine and protect themselves,” she said.
Separately in a social media campaign many healthcare professionals have urged the public to follow COVID19 preventive measures to prevent a potential second wave of COVID-19 in the country.
Acting Director of Nursing at HMC, Bejoy Chacko in a video message said, “Over past one month there is an increase in the newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients and data show a significant increase, approximately 85% in hospitalisation of these patients including the Intensive Care Unit admission. This is alarming. If this trend continues we will have to go back to the early phase of restrictions.”
“For this reason, it’s very important that we continue to follow the preventive measures to cut off the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 infections in the country,” he added.
