President of the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) Lieutenant General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Head of the National Taskforce to Combat Coronavirus (COVID-19), paid today a visit to the examination centre at Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC).

The comprehensive centre will examine all comers to the Kingdom of Bahrain from abroad, those who came into contact with them and suspicious cases of being infected by the virus. Those people will undergo medical check-up and according to laboratory results, they will be transferred to isolation and treatment centres or preemptive quarantine centres. Guidelines and criteria accredited by the World Health Organisation (WHO) are taken into consideration within the efforts made to fight COVID-19. The visits aims to get updated on preparedness of the centre and guarantee the enforcement of all preventive measures according to the highest standards.

The SCH President praised the unflinching support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He also extended thanks to His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, for their continuous follow-up on the efforts exerted to boost the health and safety of all. He stressed the ongoing efforts of SCH to contain the virus and prevent its spread. He also pointed out that BIECC, which has been turned into an examination centre, has been equipped according to the best medical standards as it comprises a reception and classification hall, three big halls, three medical clinics, a centre for survey and taking samples and a pharmacy. The first hall will be allocated for people who came into contact with infected cases without developing any symptoms. The second hall will be allocated to suspicious cases with symptoms. It will be used for check-up and waiting for results. The third hall will also be allocated for examination and waiting for results concerning cases entering from Bahrain International Airport and who developed symptoms.

The centre has 400 beds, 1000 waiting chairs, three clinics, 12 medical beds and a pharmacy. It also comprises 42 stations for taking samples and 16 for classifying symptomatic and asymptomatic cases after recording the date of the infection.

The SCH President affirmed during the inspection visit that the preemptive plans and monitoring strategies aim to dedicate all capabilities to combat COVID-19 and ensure the safety of all people in Bahrain. He commended the dedicated national efforts of the medical teams and cooperation between all competent parties in Bahrain to carry out the preventive measures according to the recommendations of WHO in order to contain the virus. He also lauded high awareness shown by the Bahraini people, stressing the need to adhere to directives and guidelines of the relevant parties to promote social health and safety. He also reiterated thanks to all citizens who volunteered to stand by the nation in combating the virus and whose number has surpassed 30,000.