Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair of the National Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of the Infectious Diseases Division at Hamad Medical Corporation
Doha: Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair of the National Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of the Infectious Diseases Division at Hamad Medical Corporation, has said that the next wave of COVID-19 infections is expected to be weaker than the previous one, due to the timely and effective measures taken by the concerned authorities.
“The wave that we experienced in the second half of May and the first week of June was a relatively large, and we do not expect to witness it again. There may be small waves until the end of the year that sometimes may rise and subside, but it would not reach the same level that we experienced before,” said Dr. Al Khal, talking to Qatar TV, yesterday.
“What is worrying in these waves is that the infection is widespread among Qataris, professional residents, and young people under 20 years, and thus the possibility that they transmit the virus to their families and older people who have chronic diseases.” In this case, he said, it will increase the number of cases that will enter the hospital and intensive care.
Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal pointed out that “Adherence to preventive measures will not be for years, but only until the emergence of vaccination and the results are encouraging and reassuring so far from pharmaceutical companies.”
“The final results in this regard will be available to us by the end of October or November this year,” he added. Regarding precautionary measures, he said that “people must take caution like before. Care must be taken more during this period, especially among young people, so that they do not transmit the virus to the elderly.”
The number of daily infections in coronaviurs has decreased dramatically compared to the past months, thanks to the efforts made by the Qatari government, represented by the Ministry of Public Health and with the support of other entities, Al Khal said.
Regarding schools fears, he said that the indicators so far are reassuring and most of the school teachers and staff have been tested and their results are negative. Also, the Ministry of Public Health will conduct random tests on students as well, to make sure that the virus does not spread among them.
“I advise young people to adhere to the preventive measures, because the danger of the virus even if it less among the young, but they may transmit the virus to elderly and people with chronic disease,” he added.
