The deadly coronavirus is spreading through contaminated kidney dialysis machines and because health workers are not following international infection control procedures, medical sources in the Al-Ahsa health department told a local newspaper.
The virus has killed seven people in Al-Ahsa, with a further six people reportedly infected over the last two weeks. The situation has caused panic among health workers, visitors and patients in the region.
The relative of a recent victim said that the man had no serious illness but had undergone dialysis three times a week at a local hospital. “We were very surprised when doctors at the hospital told my relative’s family that their father had a virus infection that caused his death,” the man said.
One infected patient is under observation at a local hospital and would only be discharged after a full recovery, sources at the hospital said. Five others are in an unstable condition at Al-Ahsa and Asharqiah hospitals. All medical staff and visitors at King Fahd Hospital in Hofuf have been wearing face masks. There has been a drop in the number of visitors to the hospital.
Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health Mansour bin Nasser Al-Hawasi visited a number of hospitals in Al-Ahsa to ensure procedures are being followed to fight the virus. He ordered hospital staff to take a number of preventive measures. He visited patients to check on their health, was briefed on the medical arrangements in the region and met Al-Ahsa Gov. Prince Bader bin Muhammad bin Jalawi Al-Saud.
Arab News
