Increase in COVID-related deaths raises big concern
‘Fifth stage not expected soon’
KUWAIT CITY, Oct 11: With the COVID-19-related death cases reaching 34 in number within one week, the concerned authorities in the country are forced to face a few options including some bitter ones, reports Al-Qabas daily.
According to high-level government sources, the health situation in the country can be described as dangerous due to the level of negligence and violation of necessary health measures.
They revealed about a meeting that Minister of Health Dr. Bassel Al-Sabah held on Saturday, Oct 10 with the leaders of the ministry to discuss measures to confront the situation and present the results to the Council of Ministers in an extraordinary session which will be held on coming Monday or Thursday for taking appropriate decisions in this regard.
The sources explained that the option of another lockdown is possible and will be presented, but it is not the top option now, as it will be preceded by a step and if that step fails, a partial lockdown might be implemented.
Moving to the fifth stage will not happen very soon, and moving to a previous stage is not ruled out, as this would be aimed to ensure the safety of everybody, and is similar to the step taken by some countries to reinstate lockdown after it was lifted.
They warned that the situation next month will be more dangerous in terms of increase in the number of infections, indicating there will be a second wave of COVID-19, something that the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned about; so this calls for addressing it before it is too late.
The sources called on other bodies to cooperate with the Ministry of Health and work as one team, highlighting the fact that the Ministry of Health is occupied with medical-related work, and there are matters for which other bodies must cooperate to deal with such as monitoring gatherings. They revealed that some ministries are not adhering to the regulations related to social distancing.
They criticized the level of indulgence, neglect and violation of health requirements by citizens, as they are now traveling abroad without any urgent need, and are not committing to requirements of social distancing and wearing masks, which in turn led to an increase in the number of COVID-19-related deaths and new infections and increase the pressure on intensive care services.
The sources affirmed that the Ministry of Health will take any decision that will reduce the pressure on its cadres.
The sources indicated that the mandatory two-week quarantine for returnees from abroad will not change, and it depends on the local and global developments of the pandemic.
They stressed that there is no negligence in ensuring commitment of the quarantined individuals, as there is an electronic system that monitors the violators, and necessary action will be taken against any of the quarantined individuals who commits violations.
When the sources were asked about the list of 34 countries from which people are banned from entering Kuwait, they affirmed that the list is on the meeting’s agenda, but they did not rule out an increase in their number.
Regarding the opening of the airport, the sources said, “There are no decisions in this regard due to the current situation”.
The sources said the Ministry of Health is still awaiting response from the Fatwa and Legislation Department regarding the law on judicial officers who are not obligated to wear masks, insisting that this law is important, especially in the coming period.