KUWAIT CITY, March 2: The COVID-19 Emergency Committee has this week been reviewing the decisions imposed since February 7 to limit the spread of the COVID- 19 virus, which are scheduled to end next Sunday, provided it refers its recommendations to the Cabinet meeting this Thursday, reports Al-Nahar daily. According to informed sources, the general trend is to extend the application of the strict measures for two more weeks or perhaps even a month based on the Cabinet’s opinion.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Health affirmed that the statement circulating about the increase in COVID-19 cases in ten areas inhabited by citizens, and that those areas may be isolated if the cases continue to increase at this rate, is incorrect.

In a press release, the ministry clarified that this statement dates back to June last year. It called for the need to observe accuracy in conveying and publishing reports by referring to the official sources.

Meanwhile, the Director of Hawally Health Zone Dr. Nadia Jumaa said the recent weeks witnessed an increase in the number of intensive care cases in Mubarak Hospital by three times compared to what they were in November and December last year. She explained that the number of cases in the emergency department of Mubarak Hospital have witnessed an increase also.

The frequency is between 80 to 100 cases per day at the emergency department. COVID-19 cases have increased since mid- January this year. The medical teams noticed about 50 patients arriving daily during the months of October, November and December last year but since mid-January, these numbers have doubled.

Furthermore, the Minister of Health Sheikh Dr. Basel Al-Sabah this week discussed with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Kuwait Leo Peters the policies and procedures to address the COVID-19 pandemic and the prospects for cooperation between the two sides in various fields, particularly in the health field. In addition, Kuwait Municipality has assigned the number 1 800 048 to receive complaints via WhatsApp regarding violations of health measures such as gatherings, celebrations and commercial activities, which are in violation of the law.