A. Coronavirus Disease 2019 is a novel (new) strain of coronavirus that was first identified in Wuhan, Hebei Province, China.

According to the updated clinical and epidemiological features of the emerging virus, the novel coronavirus is considered to be very similar to many coronaviruses that are typically transmitted from animals to humans. However, this novel virus is reported to have been transmitted from human to human with a course of illness that ranges from mild to moderate symptoms in the majority of people with the infection. Nevertheless, severe symptoms and complications or even death may occur in people who suffer chronic diseases and lowered immunity. There is currently no vaccine available to protect against the COVID-19. Though there is no specific antiviral treatment available, people infected with COVID-19receive medical care to relieve their symptoms.

For more information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) visit www.moph.gov.qa or call 16000.

A. COVID-19 is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through contact with an infected person through respiratory droplets generated when a person, for example, coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.

It is important that everyone practices good respiratory hygiene. For example, sneeze or cough into a flexed elbow, or use a tissue and discard it immediately into a closed bin. It is also very important for people to wash their hands regularly with either alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

For more information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) visit www.moph.gov.qa or call 16000.

A. No. The 999 number is for medical emergencies requiring immediate medical attention and transfer to an emergency department. The Ambulance Service’s Medical Dispatchers receive hundreds of 999 calls each day from members of the public with urgent medical conditions and the 999 number must be prioritized for these life-threatening situations.

For all questions and enquiries related to COVID-19, members of the public should call the Ministry of Public Health’s dedicated hotline on 16000.

For more information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) visit www.moph.gov.qa or call 16000.

A. Common signs of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. As the virus becomes more severe, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

For more information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) visit www.moph.gov.qa or call 16000.

A. People with COVID-19, the flu, or a cold typically develop similar respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough and runny nose. Even though many symptoms are alike, they are caused by different viruses. Because of their similarities, it can be difficult to identify the disease based on symptoms alone. That’s why laboratory tests are required to confirm if someone has COVID-19.

For more information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) visit www.moph.gov.qa or call 16000.

A. There is no specific antiviral treatment available for patients with COVID-19. People infected with the virus receive supportive medical care to relieve their symptoms.

For more information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) visit www.moph.gov.qa or call 16000.

The Ministry of Public Health advices people to do the following to protect themselves from coronavirus disease (covid-19):

• Stay at home and do not go out unless it is necessary
• Practice physical distancing by maintaining at least 2 meters from others at all times
• Wear a mask if, for necessity, you need to enter a public place, such as the supermarket
• Clean your hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

For more information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) visit www.moph.gov.qa or call 16000.

A. Gloves create a physical barrier between your hands and surfaces or items you may get in contact with, such as shopping carts, Grocery items, and ATM machines. However, gloves themselves harbor germs. If you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with contaminated gloves on, you are at risk of getting infected with Coronavirus.

Wearing gloves may give a false sense of security, which causes people to be more prone to touching their faces or their personal belongings, such as their mobile phones, keys, or glasses, which leads to an increased risk of infection.

The Ministry of Public Health recommends the use of gloves for members of the public only when performing housekeeping activities, such as general cleaning and disinfection, or when providing direct care for a person suspected of having COVID-19.

If you will use gloves, make sure to take them off and dispose of them safely.

For more information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) visit www.moph.gov.qa or call 16000.

A Qatar has more than sufficient healthcare facilities and staff to cope with the current pandemic.

Healthcare workers across the country have been specifically trained to effectively respond to such an outbreak and efforts to strengthen infection prevention and control, case management and laboratory procedures have been prioritized.

Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital was designated as a dedicated COVID-19 treatment center and almost tripled its overall bed capacity Additionally, the opening of Ras Laffan and Mesaieed Hospitals increased the health system’s capacity to care for the sickest COVID-19 patients in Qatar, and the country is able to expand its health system’s capacity even further if the need arises.

Qatar has more than enough resources to care for the COVID-19 patients who require intensive treatment and advanced respiratory support. Should the number of COVID-19 patients who require ICU-level care rise, HMC has contingency plans in place which would enable the system to redeploy manpower from other parts of the healthcare system.

The facilities and staff readiness is part of the government’s response to curbing the spread of COVID-19, which has also included a focus on offering remote access to healthcare services, increasing awareness among the community, conducting screenings, and tracing the sources of infection.

For more information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) visit www.moph.gov.qa or call 16000.

A. ​​For more information on Coronavirus Disease (covid-19):

• Visit the Ministry of Public Health website www.moph.gov.qa for more information on COVID-19
• Follow the social media accounts of the Ministry of Public Health, Hamad Medical Corporation and Primary Health Care Corporation where any new updates will be posted
• Call the national COVID-19 hotline on 16000 for all enquiries. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week