Setting up a temporary isolation tent site for asymptomatic COVID-19 positive male migrant workers in Qatar

Abstract

Background: Qatar has a unique demographic composition, involving hundreds of thousands of male blue-collar workers living in places where physical distancing measures are difficult to implement. This study aimed to describe the rapid development and operations of a temporary isolation facility, which was composed of tents, for asymptomatic COVID-19 positive migrant workers. Design: The government established several temporary isolation facilities to house this important group of the community. This was achieved through daily meetings over a short period, thanks to the collaboration of government and private partners, in parallel to the facility being built and required resources procured. Results: A 3,726-patient capacity isolation facility composed of large tents was constructed in 1 month and was kept operational from April 16 to June 20, 2020. Over that period, it received a total of 18,900 patients. It took 10 days from the decision to set up the first part of the isolation facility to admitting its first occupants. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the implementation of unprecedented global public health and physical distancing measures to contain the spread of the virus among the population. Rapidly opening a temporary COVID-19 isolation facility bought the healthcare sector time to set up more permanent solutions to contain the spread of the virus.

Key Lessons from COVID-19: A Narrative Review Describing Qatar’s Multifactorial Approach in Executing a Vaccination Campaign

“…Particular components of Qatar’s approach included having a national strategy for implementation, identifying priority groups for vaccination, and ensuring sufficient vaccine supply across the system to adequately target these groups. Another critical component was the role of the government in providing quarantine and isolation facilities [ 92 ], mandating use of the Ehteraz app to limit the spread of the disease [ 92 ], and cooperation with the private sector throughout the response [ 46 ].…”

“…These findings highlight the importance of COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and vaccination, especially because the Qatar population can be at an increased risk of transmission due to mass gatherings or travel during religious holiday periods, a high-capacity international airport, and expatriates working or living in high-density areas [ 93 ]. In an effort to mitigate the virus spread, temporary isolation facilities were set up, including one of the largest COVID-19 isolation facilities specifically for asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic expatriate workers in Qatar [ 92 ].…”

“…Protecting the health, well-being, and prosperity of Qatar's citizens and residents by preparing for, monitoring, responding to, and recovering from COVID-19 outbreaks [24] • Development of the NRP enabled timely and informed decision-making; • Creation of a cross-functional government/agency team to support the health sector, maintain essential and critical services, engage with the public, and maintain public confidence, Access to healthcare due to rapid spread of COVID-19 among migrant workers [18,25] • Particular components of Qatar's approach included having a national strategy for implementation, identifying priority groups for vaccination, and ensuring sufficient vaccine supply across the system to adequately target these groups. Another critical component was the role of the government in providing quarantine and isolation facilities [92], mandating use of the Ehteraz app to limit the spread of the disease [92], and cooperation with the private sector throughout the response [46].…”