Thursday, March 14, 2013

Qatar: Testing for coronavirus now available at HMC

March 13, 2013
Excerpt:
By Noimot Olayiwola/Staff Reporter

The Hamad Medical Corporation’s Virology Laboratory is now fully equipped to test for novel coronavirus and any other suspected cases related to acute respiratory distress syndrome, two senior officials at the Supreme Council of Health yesterday said.
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“Unfortunately, more new cases might need to appear for us to be able to understand the virus…in the meantime, we have provided all needed kits to healthcare facilities here and a guideline they should follow unless there is a new regulation from the WHO,” Dr al-Hajri stated.

He explained that an interim surveillance recommendations for human infection with novel coronavirus include a person with acute respiratory infection, who may also have fever (above 38 degrees C) and cough as well as pneumonia, or has travelled from the Arabia Peninsula and or neighbouring countries within last 10 days.

Countries considered in the Arabian Peninsula and neighbourhood include Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

The official added that any case that fits into the patient under investigation definition should be managed with respiratory precautions and immediately notified to the SCH’s HP and CDC section on hotline numbers 66740948 or 66740951 or fax – 44070812.

http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/345437/testing-for-coronavirus-now-available-at-hmc

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