General health situation in Kuwait much better than other nations, says minister
‘Normalcy will only return with public, govt cooperation’
KUWAIT CITY, April 1: Minister of Health Sheikh Dr Bassel Al-Sabah said the gradual return to normalcy of life will not be achieved without solidarity and the government’s assistance in achieving the desired goal, assuring that “the general health situation in the country is much better than others,” reports Al-Rai daily.
In a statement to the daily, the minister stressed the need to adhere to the current government measures despite their severity, because these measures are in the interest of the public. He said the ideal step is to work towards return of normalcy in about six months, while wondering if such estimate is logical.
He pointed out there will be reassurance about two months from now – around the end of May and beginning of June, when it is possible to identify the average number of infections. He affirmed that by then, the picture will be clearer in terms of the health situation in the country.
He added that “if the infections continue to stabilize and there will be healthy control of the virus, gradual easing of current procedures will follow. Life may return to normal step by step; but if the infection rate increases, the return to normal life will be delayed. We do not rule out the possibility of the Cabinet imposing total curfew to ensure full containment of the virus.”
He reiterated the need for strict compliance with social distancing policies in order to cross this important and sensitive stage in controlling the outbreak. He emphasized the importance of avoiding all forms of gatherings, warning that gathering puts people and their families at risk of infection.
“Consider yourselves at war and gathering is your enemy. Whenever you gather, you expose yourselves to infection and put your families in danger,” he elaborated.
“The world is still learning how to deal with this disease more and more, because the rate of spreading the virus is higher than the speed of factories in providing the required medicines; not to mention the treatment that the whole world is waiting for,” the minister asserted.
He went on to say “the long holiday declared by the government is aimed at turning Kuwait into a home quarantine so that infection cases and symptoms could manifest without the risk of an outbreak. We made sure to prevent all forms of social gatherings – whether in offices, weddings, work centers, markets and others.”
He also underscored the need for coordination in the evacuation of Kuwaitis from abroad with the absorptive capacity of the Ministry of Health. He affirmed “all arrivals are referred for two-week institutional quarantine and they are required to spend another two weeks of self-quarantine. During this period, they must stay inside
the house and avoid mixing with others, especially since there are mutations with this virus and there are cases where the infection is not detected until after two weeks or more.”
He confirmed the preparation of a mechanism to tighten control over domestic quarantine procedures in preparation for the next stage – God forbid, if the number of infections exceeds the capacity of the quarantine centers. He added there is a special program for home quarantine and a special mechanism to detect those who violate regulations in this regard.
Random samples taken:
As part of precautionary measures against the spread of COVID-19, teams of health inspectors have been conducting impromptu tours and raids in various parts of the country to take random samples from accommodation buildings from time to time, reports Al-Rai daily.
The daily quoting sources affirmed that a residential building in Jleeb was placed under health surveillance after samples from 25
Asians staying in the buildings came out positive, while 27 cases were recorded in a building at Mahboula. They added nine residents of the second building were quarantined at the isolation ward and the rest discharged.
14 violate curfew: A total of 14 curfew violators – 12 Kuwaitis and two expatriates – were arrested on Monday.
According to a press release issued by Ministry of Interior, securitymen arrested four individuals in Capital Governorate, one in Hawally Governorate, two in Jahra Governorate and three in Ahmadi Governorate. Necessary action was taken thereafter.
Meanwhile, security checkpoints have been set up in all areas during daytime to urge people not to leave their homes except for urgent matters and to ask them where they are going and for what reason.
Sources affirmed that this work at the checkpoints will continue until further notice.
Meanwhile , the Ministry of Health has denied that one of the
persons quarantined in one of its shelters had died, reports Al-Rai daily.
The Ministry issues ‘a thousand times no to the report’ and said what has been published in the media is just a rumor.
The Ministry source emphasized that “the Ministry of Health deals with the current Corona virus crisis with full transparency.”
Inmates release set: Based on directives issued by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and taking into account the exceptional circumstances in the country due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Public Prosecution has finished preparing the draft decree with conditions for the release of some prisoners who were convicted in certain cases, reports Aljarida daily quoting informed sources.
They explained that the draft decree will be referred to the concerned authorities. If it is approved, many prisoners will benefit from it either through immediate release or reduced penalties.