Qatar sees 85% increase in number of COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU

Dubai: Qatar has reported an 85 per cent increase in the number of COVID-19 patients being admitted to hospitals as well an increase in the number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU, the Ministry of Health said yesterday.

“We have seen an 85 per cent increase in January compared to December in the number of COVID-19 patients being admitted to hospital,” the ministry said.

“In December, Qatar has seen a gradual and consistent increase in the number of new daily infections. Additionally, and of great concern, is the recent increase in both the number of COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital and the number of patients admitted to ICU,” the health ministry said in a statement.

“The data over the next few days and week will tell us more, but these increases appear to be the early signs of a potential second wave in Qatar,” it added.

Qatar’s ministry said it may need to implement additional restrictions across the country and return to “early restriction phases” in an effort to control the rising number of infections and hospital admissions, Al Arabiya reported.

The small Gulf nation’s coronavirus tally stands at 151,335 confirmed cases, 145,806 recovered patients and 248 deaths.

In September, Qatar lifted COVID-19 restrictions, updated its travel guidance, allowed social gatherings, increased the number of people allowed to attend weddings, opened mosques to daily and Friday prayers, increased the capacity in markets and malls, and allowed the return of 80 per cent of employees to public and private workplaces.