Bahrain has more than enough health capacity to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the GDN reported today.
The declaration was made after yesterday’s meeting of the Government Executive Committee, held remotely, to review progress of efforts to contain Covid-19.
It was chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier.
“Bahrain is ready to deal with this situation and our healthcare services are capable of containing the spread of Covid-19,” said Health Ministry Under-Secretary Dr Waleed Al Manea at a virtual Press conference from the Crown Prince Centre for Training and Medical Research.
Present were National Task Force for Combating Covid-19 control and monitoring committee head Lieutenant Colonel Dr Manaf Al Qahtani, Information and eGovernment Authority chief executive Mohammed Al Qaed and Salmaniya Medical Complex infectious and internal diseases consultant Dr Jameela Al Salman.
Dr Al Manea said the country’s health capacity was more than enough to treat patients infected with the virus and those kept at quarantine facilities as a precautionary measure.
He pointed out 16 per cent of beds allocated to isolate and treat patients infected with Covid-19 are occupied, according to latest data.
He also said the total bed capacity in public quarantine facilities was 2,504 of which 277 were occupied.
“Bahrain’s experience is unique as we are able to conduct up to 2,000 tests daily and have high bed capacity at isolation and quarantine facilities,” said Lt Col Dr Al Qahtani.
“Our plan is robust and includes protection of our doctors and nurses, who care for active cases.”
