During a press conference to clarify the Covid-19 situation in Qatar, Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation, said that we have both the UK and South African Covid-19 variants circulating in Qatar.

SUMMARY OF KEY MESSAGES

 • A large rise in the number of new reported COVID-19 cases over the last two weeks, with over 900 new cases registered per day in the last few days.

• A large number of patients in intensive care is a major source of concern. This statistic had risen dramatically since the first wave's height last year.

• Despite our stringent quarantine policy for all passengers, the South Africa version has infiltrated the population, resulting in both the UK and South Africa variants circulating.

• Both of these new strains cause more serious symptoms than the first, and we think the South Africa variety is to blame for the recent increase in COVID-19 cases.

• Notwithstanding an increase in the number of patients needing hospital admission, the healthcare system has ample ability to guarantee that anyone who requires medical attention receives it promptly.

• In the last quarter of 2020, Qatar managed to keep the virus under check by enforcing a series of stringent measures aimed at stopping a second wave.

• We kept steps in place to deter the virus from spreading, such as travel quarantine, mask-wearing, social distancing, gathering restrictions, temperature and Ehteraz tests in all public buildings, and mixed learning in classrooms.

• Despite these continued attempts, Qatar, like many other countries in the region and around the world, has been unable to deter a second wave.