Negligence has been the main cause for a spike in the coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in Bahrain in the past few days, a top official has affirmed.

People still need to strictly abide by the health protocols and mandatory precautionary measures set by the authorities to combat the pandemic, said Health Ministry Under-Secretary and National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (Covid-19) senior member Dr Waleed Al Manea.

Underlining the importance of taking into account the efforts of healthcare workers in the frontlines to combat the virus, he pointed out that the strategies adopted by Bahrain to combat the pandemic have won international praise, especially since the government provided various means to combat Covid-19 and protect citizens and residents.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to follow rigorously all health guidelines to ensure the safety of the community,” said Dr Al Manea, adding that people experiencing Covid-19 symptoms should use the hotline (444) and follow the guidelines provided.

Measures

“The increase that we have noticed recently is tied to the lack of adhering to precautionary measures by citizens and residents when it comes to gatherings,” said Dr Al Manea.

“Precautions such as social distancing, wearing masks, sanitising and gathering only when necessary are still required; we noticed that in several places and homes these requirements are not being adhered to.

“People who have taken the vaccine must also adhere to these precautions, the immunity is not built until two weeks after the second dose – even after that we need to adhere to these measures.”

Dr Al Manea said that although Bahrain has made great strides in vaccinating nearly 150,000 people, the public still needs to abide by the precautions to support those working on the frontlines.

Meanwhile, a number of citizens recovering from Covid-19 and some contacts of a number of existing cases have shared their stories.

Zainab Sarhan spoke of her experience in precautionary quarantine with her six children after her husband was infected with the virus and they were identified as contact cases, requiring isolation.

“The psychological harm is the most severe. Being away from the family, it was very difficult to manage the responsibilities of six children and provide their daily requirements,” she said.

“Because of my husband’s contact with his family members who live in one house, he was diagnosed as an active case after being infected with the virus, and was transferred to the Sitra quarantine, which was a great burden on me and the children.”

Safaa Hussein Haji and her children were placed under home quarantine after her husband was infected with the virus.

She said it was tough psychologically, especially as she had to be vigilant at all times to ensure that three of her infected children did not transmit the virus to their uninfected brother.

“Each child was isolated separately and I provided them with all their daily requirements as they found it difficult to adhere to the precautionary measures that require wearing masks and gloves and continuous sanitising,” said Mrs Haji.

Precautions

“Also, they would not accept healthy food to support their immunity and treatment, such as hot drinks, vegetables and fruits.”

Fatima Mohammed said she was infected in the first months of her pregnancy as she mingled with people at work without adhering to the necessary precautions.

“I wish to tell all citizens and residents of the need for caution and full adherence to precautionary measures to limit the spread of the virus.

“The responsibility to reduce the spread of the virus is a responsibility that everyone bears, and care must be taken repeatedly to limit this pandemic, which has cost us a lot of effort and fatigue,” she said.

In November last year, the GDN had spoken to some Covid-19 survivors who recounted their battle with the virus and how the illness had hit them both physically and psychologically.

ghazi@gdn.com.bh

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