Daily coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in Bahrain crossed the 100 mark after three months, indicating a rise in the number of infections.
On Saturday, 101 cases were reported; the last time the figure had surpassed the century mark was on September 20 when 119 cases were reported.
The last 10 days of September averaged 67 cases per day, dropping to 57 in October and 29 last month.
However, this month’s daily average until Saturday went up to 40 cases.
Infections nearly doubled in the last week, rising from 28 new cases last Sunday to 52 on Friday, then to 101 the next day before dropping to 89 on Sunday.
Bahrain is currently in the yellow zone of Covid-19 restrictions, until January 31, as the world grapples with the new Omicron variant.
Though only one case of the new variant has been recorded in Bahrain, experts warn that the increasing number of daily infections calls for more vigilance.
They also warned of outbreaks among the high-risk population, citing earlier studies that revealed a high infectivity rate of the ‘variant of concern’.
“Despite reports of the variant causing only mild illness, if it reaches a large number of people, and even if a minor part of the infected become seriously sick, it will create problems,” said American Mission Hospital (AMH) internal medicine specialist Dr Anup Abdulla.
“The current data shows no admission to the intensive care unit, and the need for ventilators and oxygen is less than the dreaded Delta variant.
“Current vaccines are also expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalisations, and/or subsequent deaths from Omicron.
“However, breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are also likely to occur, especially amongst the immunocompromised elderly population.”
The impact on this high-risk category could put a strain on Bahrain’s health infrastructure, warned the doctor, citing the high prevalence of lifestyle diseases, particularly diabetes, in this group.
“We saw this group as the most vulnerable during the peak of infections both last year and this year, and studies are still ongoing to confirm how the new variant may manifest on the elderly.”
He also pointed out that the reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test needs more genomic sequencing studies to trace Omicron.
The GDN previously reported that only four private laboratories in Bahrain are equipped to detect the ‘missing S-gene’ in swab samples – a quick and reliable test for the Omicron variant.
Meanwhile, a study by the UK’s Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease suggested that Omicron has a lower ability to attack the lungs and cause severe disease.
However, this should not be a reason to relax, stressed AMH pulmonologist Dr Chellaraja Chellasamy.
“The new Omicron variant is very highly transmissible with a doubling time of one-and-a-half to three days,” he said.
“It’s symptoms are milder or more like a common cold but the sheer number of infections will mean an increase in case load, some of which may progress to severe infections.
“A point to note is that in patients previously infected with Covid-19, reinfection rates with Omicron are almost five times more than Delta.”
Omicron, which was discovered in South Africa and is now found in more than 90 countries, has 32 mutations, unlike other Covid-19 variants. However, the most common strain currently spreading around the world is Delta.
The doctors who agreed that Bahrain’s entry into the yellow zone was a wise decision emphasised that “the only ideal solution right now is complete vaccination – two doses with booster – and wearing face masks without fail.”
National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (Covid-19) senior member Dr Jameela Al Salman said booster doses have become a “necessity” at a time when the rate of infection from Omicron is increasing globally.
“Vaccination greatly contributes to the protection and immunisation of societies,” said the Salmaniya Medical Complex infectious and internal diseases consultant, urging all eligible to inoculate themselves completely with a booster dose.
“Booster dose enhances the vaccine efficacy and helps reducing the severity of the infection.”
Meanwhile, Muharraq Governorate Police Directorate is carrying out awareness campaigns on regulations during the yellow level of Covid-19 precautions.
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