Al-Watan, The Peninsula Stress Need to Adhere to Precautionary Measures

Doha, February 20 (QNA) - Qatari newspapers, Al-Watan and The Peninsula, underlined in their editorials on Saturday the importance of adhering to the precautionary measures against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, stressing that receiving the vaccine is an additional means of protection in addition to the measures and precautions, and does not mean the return to normal life. For its part, Al-Watan said that the daily registered infections in the State reach 450 in average, which is considered a big number in comparison with the number of infections registered in July, which was less than 150 in average. The paper warned that the Ministry of Public Health has repeatedly expressed concern about the recent increase in the number of people admitted to hospital, as well as the number of people who were admitted to intensive care units, noting that such increases represent early indicators of a possible second wave in the State. The Ministry has continued its warnings and calls to all members of society to adhere to the precautionary and preventive measures in order to prevent a second wave, warning the imposition for additional restrictions across the country if the number of infections has continued to rise. The increase in infections means a return to more precautionary measures, which can be avoided by tightening the rules of compliance for members of the society, Al-Watan stressed. Meanwhile, Qatari English newspaper The Peninsula said that the State of Qatar is expanding its vaccination drive to include more people in the pivotal process for public health, along with ensuring the implementation of precautionary measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country, noting that Qatar so far has vaccinated over 100,000 people. The paper noted that Qatar started vaccination drive with healthcare workers, aged individuals and people with chronic conditions but has now expanded the ambit to include teachers and school administration staff. The paper said that HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani visited on Thursday the temporary COVID-19 mass vaccination center, opened at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). The Prime Minister inspected the center run by the Primary Health Care Corporation in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). The centers first phase will focus on vaccinating teachers and school staff, in addition to other essential workers and community members who meet the eligibility criteria. In order to preserve the health of children in school along with the educational and administrative staff, the Ministry has also intensified its periodic and surprise inspection campaigns of public and private schools, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Safety Department and the Ministry of Public Health. These inspection campaigns have shown that most of the schools are adhering to precautionary measures, The Peninsula said. (QNA)