BED capacity in the treatment and quarantine facilities for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in Bahrain has been increased, the GDN's Raji Unnikrishnan reports today.

The number of beds in the isolation and treatment centres has been raised to 4,257, while in precautionary quarantine centres it has been increased to 5,489.

The decision was announced by Health Minister Faeqa Al Saleh following the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.

Ms Al Saleh also pointed out that failure to follow precautionary measures had led to the high infection rate in the community.

“The capacity of isolation and treatment centres has been raised to 4,257 beds, of which only 3,218 are occupied,” she said in a statement.

“The capacity of the precautionary quarantine centres has been increased to 5,489 beds, of which only 533 beds are occupied.”

This comes as Bahrain recorded more than 1,600 new cases in the last six days. The number of active cases was 2,066 on May 6 but has gone up to 3,218 as of yesterday.

“The ministry is working according to an integrated plan under the National Team to Combat Covid-19, in order to deal with all stage-wise developments of the virus with high efficiency and flexibility.

“The plan includes increasing the absorptive capacity of facilities. The national efforts put in mind the interest, health and safety of citizens and residents as a top priority.”

The GDN reported last month that the capacity of the Covid-19 treatment and isolation facilities in Bahrain was 2,473, of which 1,506 beds were occupied, while the capacity of the precautionary quarantine centres was 1,673, with 902 beds occupied.

Health Ministry Under-Secretary Dr Waleed Al Manea had also noted that there were 136 beds in the private sector treatment and isolation facilities (Hotel Park Regis Lotus, Juffair) where the occupancy was only 50.

The capacity of the precautionary quarantine centres in the private sector (a number of hotels) was 801, with only 20 beds occupied.

The public treatment and quarantine facilities in Bahrain include those at Hidd, Sitra field unit, Muharraq Geriatric Hospital, Jidhafs Maternity Hospital and the Hereditary Blood Disorder Centre at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC).

The isolation facility is the Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo Health Centre in Salmaniya.

In addition, a 130-bed facility managed by the Royal Medical Services is ready at the BDF Hospital which is dedicated to intensive care, while the International Hospital Bahrain (IHB) on Budaiya Highway is also being readied as a facility.

The Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC) in Sanabis is also an integrated facility to screen, test and treat Covid-19 cases, which also has a drive-through unit.

Meanwhile, Ms Al Saleh called upon citizens and residents to follow the precautionary measures to reduce the burden on the frontline medical team and to avoid existing cases to worsen, leading to community spread.

The GDN reported on Sunday that 16 members of a Bahraini family were infected from one of its members, which the ministry cited was due to non-compliance with instructions.