www.thepeninsula.qa Saturday 14 March 2020 Volume 25 | Number 8196 19 Rajab - 1441 2 Riyals BUSINESS | 15 SPORT | 20 Coronavirus impact Al Sadd overpower on economy Al Wakrah in ‘short-term issue’: shoot-out to book Mnuchin semis berth FREE Wi-Fi device! Ooredoo FREE installation! Full fun! ONE *Terms & Conditions Apply Amir directs MoPH expands scope of testing for COVID-19 to send urgent The Ministry said that all new cases are medical aid to Iran receiving suitable care under complete QNA — DOHA isolation and they all are in stable health Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin condition. The Ministry further said that Hamad Al Thani has directed to it is expanding the scope of testing for send urgent medical assistance to the Islamic Republic of Iran, COVID-19 to trace all possible contacts given the outbreak of the coro- of infected patients. navirus epidemic, as a contri- bution from the State of Qatar to combating this epidemic, which THE PENINSULA — DOHA for COVID-19 to trace all pos- represents a common threat sible contacts of infected facing the whole world. The Ministry of Public Health patients. (MoPH) yesterday announced The Ministry of Public the registration of 58 new Health further said that the Labour Ministry confirmed cases of coronavirus decisions announced by the 2019 (COVID-19) in the State Government Communications raises awareness of Qatar. Office on Thursday are com- After these 58 new cases, plementary to the efforts and among workers the total number of positive precautionary measures taken QNA — DOHA COVID-19 cases in Qatar by the State of Qatar to prevent reaches 320 while according and limit the spread of Coro- The Ministry of Administrative to the Ministry’s website Qatar navirus disease, as the number Development, Labour, and Social has so far tested 5,309 people of cases is expected to increase Affairs formed a team that will for COVID-2019. in the next few days. check workers accommodation and Fifty-four of the new cases The Ministry of Public encourage them to take the appro- are related to the cases iden- Health has recommended a priate precautionary measures tified earlier among expatriate number of simple, yet effective against the novel coronavirus workers and most of these practices to protect people (COVID-19). cases have already been in from COVID-19. Health officials disinfecting a playground due to COVID-19 outbreak in Adana, Turkey, yesterday. The Ministry said in a statement quarantine. The other four The Ministry recommended today that the team gave out bro- cases are related to travel con- wash of hands regularly with chures in multiple languages, tacts, the Ministry said on its soap and water for at least 20 mouth with your hands before people,” the Ministry of Public avoid handshakes and cheek- masks, and sanitizers to help the website. seconds or using an alcohol- you wash them, especially Health has recommended. kissing when greeting each workers prevent themselves against The Ministry said that all based hand sanitiser. when outside your home. The Ministry of Public other. “Instead, people can Coronavirus. The effort was done new cases are receiving “Cover your mouth and Avoid close contact with other Health has urged the public to verbally greet one another or in cooperation with Qatar Charity. suitable care under complete nose when you cough or people, especially anyone avoid social gatherings of more make greeting gestures from The Ministry encouraged all com- isolation and they all are in sneeze with your sleeve or showing symptoms of respi- than 50 people and to limit distance as a way of helping panies to ensure a healthy and safe stable health condition. The tissue, and dispose of used ratory illness and maintain at family gatherings as much as prevent the spread of the environment for its workers by taking Ministry further said that it is tissues in a covered bin. Avoid least one meter distance possible. Members of the virus,” the Ministry all the precautionary measures expanding the scope of testing touching your eyes, nose and between yourself and other public have also advised to recommended. against the spread of the disease. Public, private sectors join hands in fight against infection SANAULLAH ATAULLAH been installed at many places from the spread of COVID-19. of the parks, wishing health and Health (MoPH) shared video HMC’s Infectious Diseases Con- THE PENINSULA in the offices and workplaces. The decision is part of a number safety for all,” the Ministry messages in the languages of sultant and Dr. Sanjay, HMC Informative literature of precautionary measures tweeted yesterday afternoon. major expatriate communities Consultant in Microbiology. The private sector and the enhanced with graphics which taken by MME to protect the cit- The municipalities also including Urdu, Hindi, The Ministry of Public community have joined hands carry instructions on how to izens and expatriate from came forward to ensure health Malayalam, Nepali and Filipino Health called upon all citizens with the government in fighting avoid catching COVID-19 have coronavirus. and hygiene at abattoirs, on its twitter handle explaining and residents to avoid crowded against the spread of COVID-19 been prominently posted at “Within the framework of markets and public places. The the key measures to follow to places and postpone holding by raising awareness and taking entrances of residential the preventive measures taken Health Monitoring Units different protect residents from COVID-19 social gatherings for the time measures to protect themselves buildings, inside elevators and by the State of Qatar to limit the municipalities have intensified and other infections. being, for their own well being and others from the disease. corridors. spread of the coronavirus, the inspection campaigns. The The messages were and that of the community. Some companies have In a fresh action yesterday, Ministry of Municipality and inspectors of various municipal- delivered by Dr. Hassan The Ministry also advised started using thermal devices the Ministry of Municipality and Environment decided to tem- ities are also ensuring cleaning Ahmedullah from HMC’s Com- people to wash hands often or to screen the employees, and Environment (MME) announced porarily close Al Khor Family and sterilising stores on regular municable Disease Center; Ilder use hand sanitisers and keep a those with fever, cold and cough to close Al Khor Family Park Park and Dahl Al Hamam Park, basis, and disposing of any waste Casmurlo from HMC’s Rumailah distance of at least one metre are instructed to remain at and Dahl Al Hamam Park tem- until further notice, in order to immediately. Hospital; Rama Uprery from (3 feet) from people who have home. Hand sanitisers have also porarily to protect the residents ensure the safety of the visitors The Ministry of Public HMC; Dr. Kadavil Chacko from symptoms of illness. PHCC announces WHO says Europe now epicentre of pandemic precautionary AFP — GENEVA WHO’s emergencies programme, Trump declares coronavirus a national stressed that measures like banning measures against The World Health Organization said public gatherings “are not a yesterday that Europe was now the emergency, freeing $50bn in funds panacea”. coronavirus “epicentre” for the global coronavirus “Social distancing measures are not pandemic — and warned it was impos- going to stop this pandemic,” he said, WASHINGTON QNA & THE PENINSULA sible to know when the outbreak REUTERS — “unleash the full power of the federal though some could have “a positive DOHA would peak. US President Donald Trump government.” He urged every state impact”, he added. The continent had now “more yesterday declared a national emer- to set up emergency centers to help The most important thing, he said, Primary Health Care Corporation reported cases and deaths than the rest gency over the fast-spreading coro- fight the virus. was to act. announced a number of precautionary of the world combined, apart from navirus, opening the door to Pressure has been mounting for “The greatest error is not to move. measures against the spread of the China”, said WHO chief Tedros providing what he said was about Trump to declare an infectious The greatest error is to be paralysed Coronavirus (COVID-19). Adhanom Ghebreyesus. $50bn in federal aid to fight the disease emergency under the 1988 by the fear of failure,” he said. The corporation said in a “Europe has now become the epi- disease. law that would allow the Federal The World Health Organization statement yesterday that they centre of the pandemic,” he said. Trump made the announcement Emergency Management Agency also announced the creation of a new decided to cancel all appointments Tedros was speaking at news con- at a Rose Garden news conference (Fema) to provide disaster funds to fund, targeted at drawing donations at health centers starting today, with ference held virtually to avoid any as he battled to show Americans that state and local governments and to from companies, organisations and the exception of Healthy Child Clinic, potential spread of the virus among he is aggressively addressing the deploy support teams. individuals toward helping fight the vaccination clinics, and X-rays and journalists. virus after appearing to play down The power is rarely used. pandemic. ultrasound. “More cases are now being the threat for weeks. Former President Bill Clinton in The COVID-19 Solidarity Response Appointments will be rescheduled reported every day than were reported Trump said he was declaring the 2000 declared such an emergency Fund, which will be run by the UN at a later date, according to the in China at the height of its epidemic,” national emergency in order to for West Nile virus. Foundation in the United States and statement. he said, referring to the global the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, The corporation said that urgent numbers.