Bahrain’s Ministry of Health today reported that the Kingdom had conducted over one million COVID-19 PCR diagnostic tests.

In an update on the Kingdom’s COVID-19 response, Bahrain’s Minister of Health Faeqa bint Saeed Alsaleh, confirmed the milestone figure had been reached as part of the ‘Trace, Test, Treat’ strategy that has involved proactive testing on a scale well above many other countries.

The Minister highlighted this strategy has resulted in Bahrain conducting 675 tests per 1,000 people, one of the highest rates in the world. Equally, with only 4.8 % of positive cases from total tested, Bahrain is recording cases well below the WHO’s determination that an effective testing policy should identify no more than one positive case per 11 tests.

With a high recovery rate of 92.2%, the Minister explained Bahrain has been able to capture positive cases from those who are asymptomatic or with minor symptoms and has been able to quarantine and trace more effectively, minimising the potential for onward transmission.

The Minister of Health, HE Faeqa bint Saeed Alsaleh, said:

“Passing the one million test mark is an important milestone for Bahrain. From the outset our mantra has been test, test, test. This achievement has only been made possible by the dedicated efforts of all frontline medical staff and first responders.

We will not rest on our laurels, and will continue to vigilantly monitor local, regional and international COVID-19 developments, amend our precautionary measures accordingly and expand our capabilities to ensure we continue to rise to this challenge and safeguard the health of every citizen and resident here in the Kingdom.