File photo used for representation only
No case of newly identified coronavirus variant Omicron has been detected in Qatar so far, said a health official.
“In Qatar, we are tracking infected cases but so far no case of new variant Omicron is detected in the country,” said Director of the Department of Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Dr. Hamad Al Rumaihi.
Speaking in an Al Rayan TV programme yesterday, Al Rumaihi said that the preliminary information suggested that the new variant is strong as its spreads quickly.
“So far, over 10 countries have confirmed the cases of Omicron variant. It is expected that more cases will be detected in coming period as the world has become a global village,” said Dr. Al Rumaihi.
He said that recently the travel movement increased in all over the world therefore more cases of new variant are expected.
“The new COVID-19 variant emerged on November 14 with scientific name of B.1.1.529 which was later renamed Omicron,” said Dr. Al Rumaihi.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO) classified the new B.1.1.529 coronavirus variant as a variant of concern,” said Dr. Al Rumaihi urging people especially those eligible for COVID-19 booster dose to rush to their health center to take the vaccine because the pandemic situation keeps changing in all over the world.
“We have seen several countries around the world reimposing preventive measures due to increase in positive cases of coronavirus as well as because of new variant,” said Dr. Al Rumaihi.
“But the situation in Qatar is stable because of the high vaccination coverage rate which is contributing greatly in curbing the spread of the virus in the country and booster dose of the vaccine will enhance the protection.”
“Qatar is providing safe and effective vaccinations, and the efficiency of vaccination in terms of preventing severe complications and death reaches the highest 95%,” said Dr. Al Rumaihi. He stressed that so far there are no serious cases or complications of vaccination recorded in Qatar.
