More than 80 per cent of coronavirus (Covid-19) patients registered this week in Bahrain have contracted the infection locally, according to official statistics.
Taskforce member and Salmaniya Medical Complex Infectious and Internal Diseases consultant Dr Jameela Al Salman yesterday noted that the spread was from ‘gatherings’.
Details revealed by the Health Ministry showed that 4,806 new Covid-19 cases were reported in the country from September 1 to 8.
This is an average of 600 cases per day, a jump from an average of 330 daily cases in the previous week.
At an online Press conference yesterday, Dr Al Salman dismissed claims that the spread of the infection was from outside Bahrain.
“An analysis of the statistics and follow-up through local contact tracing showed that most of these cases are due to gatherings,” said Dr Al Salman.
“All cases entering through the airport were tested, followed up for 10 days and this is very low, as figures reveal.
“The increase in cases was because of gatherings.”
Of the total cases last week 4,006 (83.35pc) were contacts of active local cases, while 762 (15.85pc) were among expats and 38 (0.79pc) were travel-related cases.
The highest number of cases of 702 was recorded on Tuesday. These cases were detected among 98 expatriate workers, 602 contacts of active cases, and two were travel related.
The lowest number of 367 cases recorded last Wednesday was detected among 87 expatriate workers, 277 new contacts of active cases, and three were travel related.
All these cases were revealed from the 86,835 tests which the ministry conducted last week. It is also noteworthy that 2,527 people recovered.
However, the number of recoveries dropped from the previous week, which Dr Al Salman believes was due to the increased spread of the virus, adding that the task force was ‘hopeful’ that if the warnings are heeded this will be addressed soon.
Dr Al Salman also highlighted that the Health Ministry continues to expand the range and numbers of daily examinations and random checks. “The rate of daily tests is currently ranging between 10,000 to 11,000 under three groups – random testing, contacts of active cases and those reporting through 444.
“These numbers are dynamic and, as cases increase, tests will be increased.”
She reiterated that public health, safety and hygiene guidelines were crucial and had to be followed by all.
Bahrain has to date recorded 57,450 cases of Covid-19, including 5,428 active cases, 51,819 recoveries and 203 fatalities.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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