Ministry to launch drive-through swabbing hubs at three health centers

Qatar has spared no effort in its fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

From ensuring high-quality, fully integrated facilities to test, treat, and manage affected patients to developing innovative solutions to tackle the infectious disease, Qatar has worked diligently to meet the challenge.

The country has one of the lowest mortality rates in the world, which speaks volumes about its robust health system that handled the situation with proactiveness, under the guidance of Qatar's wise leadership.

As the country's COVID-19 strategy focuses on intensified, improved testing, it has been testing in large numbers of late.

Now, under an ambition to understand the flow of the virus spread within the community, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has announced that it will run two-day, drive through COVID-19 testing hubs at three Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) health centers.

@MOPHQatar in collaboration with PHCC, @HMC_Qatar Ambulance, Laboratories and @QatarUniversity will operate drive through swabbing hubs at three PHCC health centres for two days#YourSafetyIsMySafety pic.twitter.com/prcYslk044

— مؤسسة الرعاية الصحية الأولية (@PHCCqatar) May 5, 2020

This comes under a community-based survey, which involves the coordination of PHCC, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Ambulance Service and laboratories, and Qatar University (QU).

The survey will aim to test 2,500 members of the public, according to the announcement.

This will be "a unique study that will allow better understanding of the flow of the virus in the community and adapt responses to the scientific findings," the announcement states.

Participants to undergo testing are based on a referral-only service. They will be randomly selected based on age, gender, and ethnicity.

However, the Ministry clarifies, "Invitation doesn't mean you are a suspect COVID-19 patient and participation is entirely voluntary."

This drive-through testing will be held at the Al Thumama, Al Waab, and Leabaib health centers today (Wednesday) and tomorrow from 2 pm to 10 pm.

Meanwhile, health authorities in Qatar continue to implement the highest level of monitoring, detection, and management procedures to deal with the virus, the public has been advised to follow certain measures to safeguard their health.

For any queries, or concerns related to COVID-19 in Qatar, the public can contact a 24/7 hotline set up by the Ministry. The hotline number is 16000 and is toll-free.

Here's everything you need to know about the virus, including ways to protect yourself.

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Cover Image: For illustrative purposes only