Virus among Arifjan contractors
Order issued to pull non-barcode curfew permits
KUWAIT CITY, April 23, (Agencies): The US Embassy on Wednesday noted that “contrary to previous press reports, no US military individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in Kuwait.”
In a press release obtained by Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the Embassy added “Several contractors who worked at Camp Arifjan have tested positive and are now under the care and supervision of the Ministry of Health.
“The US government has increased its precautionary measures and is coordinating with the Kuwaiti authorities, including the Ministry of Health, to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being,” the statement read.
“We thank the Kuwaiti government for their strong partnership, and we will continue to work together to combat the spread of COVID-19”.
Order issued to withdraw permits
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh has issued instructions to all security personnel throughout the country to withdraw any ‘permits’ which were issued earlier, reports Al-Anba daily.
The source said the new instructions include checking the barcode and considering it as a single document for being on the road during the partial curfew. The instruction came into effect as of today.
It is noteworthy that the Ministry has overcome all barriers regarding the barcode and the devices are available at the Ministry of Interior.
Kuwait reports one death
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health reported, Thursday, 151 new coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, bringing the tally to 2,399, while one death was reported. The total number of deaths reached 14.
During its daily briefing, Health Ministry spokesperson Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad said that 55 patients were in intensive care, 22 of them were in critical condition.
Those currently receiving treatment at hospitals reached 1,887 patients, said the spokesperson.
The death was of a Kuwaiti citizen in his early 40s who was receiving treatment in the ICU.
The Health Minister Dr Basel Al-Sabah announced the recovery of 55 patients as the total is brought to 498 recoveries.
MoH partakes in conf
Kuwait’s Minister of Health Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah joined a video conference with his peers from member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region on Wednesday.
The ministers shared views on the best ways to stem the tide of the novel coronavirus pandemic in the region and the efficacy of preventive measures put in place so far.
The virtual gathering, chaired by WHO Regional Director Dr Ahmad Al-Mandhari, reviewed the developments of the pandemic in the region and beyond as well as the latest data on victims.
Minister hopes for cure
Although Health Minister Sheikh Dr Bassel Al-Sabah is hoping for the immediate discovery of a cure for the novel coronavirus in order to end the global crisis soon, he sees the need to implement the community immunity policy which entails taking several measures until the stage of societal immunity from the disease is reached, reports AlRai daily.
During his interview with ‘Ten to Ten’ Program hosted by Editor-in-Chief of the daily Walid Al-Jasem on Al-Rai television channel recently, the minister said: “I think there will be no vaccine until September. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American side say it will be by the beginning of next year, as research on the use of Ebola treatment is underway.”
“Reports have proven that two-thirds of the patients were cured, but some have not been fortunate. These are studies being led by the World Health Organization. We hope there will be a cure soon... About 19 companies are currently conducting studies and researches to find the vaccine for the virus,” the minister pointed out.
Indicating that Kuwait is now at the height of the pandemic, he asserted: “We expect to control the disease in mid-May. However, with the return of about 40,000 citizens from abroad; there might be a second wave after four to six weeks.”
He expressed “full confidence in the citizens’ commitment to follow procedures for their own good and those around them — their loved ones who will be the first to be affected, God forbid. The awareness of the citizens increased and they will follow the health guidelines on isolation.”
He said home quarantine is mandatory for all those coming from abroad, but some exceptional groups need institutional quarantine; including those who have no suitable place for home quarantine within two weeks and those facing obstacles at home, such as the presence of patients or the elderly. He added the Ministry of Health provides them with the required services as soon as they disembark from the plane, records their data electronically, and then determines if they need home or institutional quarantine.
Immediately after His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah issued a directive to expedite the return of citizens from abroad, it was necessary to prepare for their reception and to ensure their safety and that of the whole society. Work was done weeks ago through a special application called ‘Shlonik’ with the participation of many authorities, in addition to the e-bracelet to determine the patient’s condition and the extent of his commitment to home quarantine measures, the minister narrated.
He explained the application is not only for determining location, but also to communicate with those arriving from abroad through a virtual clinic that interviews the returnee daily to know if he is exhibiting symptoms or not. This is the basis for the procedure taken in the control room which consists of 75 well-trained doctors who work round the clock to monitor the health condition of arriving passengers, the minister added.
He said the number of people coming from abroad is big – maybe 40,000 citizens; but the doctors, technicians, nurses and medical emergency staff are working hard to closely monitor the health condition of returnees in their homes.
He went on to say that one of the dilemmas in the implementation of home quarantine is the presence of visitors, pointing out the returnees are given a checklist on how to arrange home quarantine. The list includes preventing visits by putting posters in houses with home quarantine, stating that it strictly prohibits entry of any person who does not live in the house and violation of the directive is punishable by law, he revealed while confirming the allocation of hotline number 151 for the public to report any violation.
He discussed the precautionary measures; affirming the establishment of quarantine centers in the North and South, field hospitals in the Ministry of Defense and the International Fair Ground in Mishref which will open within five to 6 days, and specialized hospitals equipped with thousands of beds. He clarified that even the patients with mild symptoms are confined in hospitals until guaranteed that it is safe for them to go out in order to curb the spread of the virus.
He said all infections in Kuwait are from abroad and the epidemiological investigation is a way of searching for case number one, indicating that random checks are ongoing in Jleeb Al-Shuyouk and Mahboula.
He added the consumption of face masks jumped from 220,000 to 12 million per month. “We are the second country to provide medical stocks. It has been proven that those without tuberculosis vaccine have more cases of infection with the virus,” he concluded.