Hamad General Hospital Medical Director Dr Yousef Al Maslamani has said that there is a steady decrease in new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Qatar, thanks to the restrictions in place and the rapid implementation of the vaccination programme.

He pointed out that the number of daily cases was more than 900 two weeks ago, but today that figure has come down to 600 cases.

Al Maslamani thanked the public for their commitment to the instructions, which led to a decrease in the number of cases.

He pointed out that the number of infected people who are hospitalised and in intensive care has also decreased.

He said, "It is not known if we were able to overcome the last wave, but we will continue with the same measures until the end of Ramadan and during the Eid period. If the number of cases is reduced to fewer numbers than  now, and after that we may consider easing the measures currently in place."

On the national COVID-19 vaccination programme, he said the drive is progressing at an accelerating pace, as more than a million and a half doses of vaccine have been given so far. Currently, at least 160,000 doses are given per week, he added.

With regard to the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing disease, he said there is clear evidence that these vaccines protect against severe COVID-19 symptoms and disease in general.

According to the data of the previous week, it was found that about 1,800 patients were admitted to intensive care, while 18 people received the vaccination, or 1% of the total of those who entered the intensive care.

"These statistics are promising and give great hope for a speedy return to normal life in Qatar, but to achieve this we need to vaccinate 80% or 90% of the total population, and then perhaps we may be able to return to our normal life," he said.