Bahrain declared free of Coronavirus

Manama, Apr. 27 (BNA): Bahrain is free of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), said Supreme Health Council (SHC) President Lieutenant-General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa. The Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Cardiac Centre has also resumed work following a World Health Organisation (WHO) 14-day precautionary period to make sure medical staff and employees did not contract the viral disease. The Ministry of Health announced the first ever MERS-CoV case to be diagnosed in Bahrain on April 9. A Saudi national who underwent an open heart surgery at Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Cardiac Centre had been diagnosed with the disease. The Public Health Laboratories examined a sample which tested positive and alerted Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Cardiac Centre immediately to take the necessary precautionary measures as per the WHO protocols and ensure the medical staff and employees are not infected. The BDF Hospital, the Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Cardiac Centre and the Ministry of Health, played a crucial role, among other health parties, to contain the virus and avert an outbreak of the disease. Lt. Gen. Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa commended the Saudi Ministry of Health, which acted fast and sent a MERS-CoV specialised team from the Eastern Province to Bahrain. He extended thanks to Saudi Health Minister Khalid Al-Faleh and Health Minister Faeqa bint Said Al-Salah, commending the dedicated efforts of all the officials at BDF Hospital, the Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Cardiac Centre Directorate of Public Health and the Public Health Laboratories. A H N BNA 2003 GMT 2016/04/27