AMMAN — Experts commended ongoing efforts to immunize
Jordanians against
COVID-19 as the Cabinet is eyeing a “safe summer”.
اضافة اعلان
Jordan is still implementing measures to bring the pandemic
under control, and members of the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network
(EMPHNET) have reassured the public that the situation is “under control”.
Mohannad Al-Nsour, executive director of the EMPHNET and
member of the National Epidemiological Committee, told Jordan News, that “the
positivity rate is under control within the permissible norm, and the incidence
of hospital admission is also reassuring; in fact, all of the indicators in the
epidemiological status are encouraging.”
Although it is “difficult to dwell on mere expectations,”
Nsour feels that citizens’ commitment to getting vaccinated is the only way to
ensure a safe summer. “Over a million citizens have been vaccinated thus far
thanks to the availability of vaccines and the support of the studied plans
from (the National Center for Security and Crises Management). This has helped
motivate citizens to take the vaccinations. It is critical that businesses and
workplaces encourage vaccines so that people are protected and ready to restore
the country to its former glory,” he added.
According to Nsour, businesses and a number of tourist
destinations are linking vaccines to work stimulus and obligatory procedures to
return to work. This has had a significant impact on encouraging people to get
vaccinated. Although “60,000 to 70,000 individuals” are vaccinated every day,
the goal is to reach “100,000” vaccinations per day, and eventually “2.5 to 3
million” vaccinated individuals by the end of June.
“In our battle against this pandemic, every citizen in our
country is a strategic soldier. This means that unless citizens commit to
social distancing, precautionary measures, and vaccinations, none of these
expectations will be realized,” he stated.
Although he previously stated that a third wave may be on
its way to Jordan, Nsour now believes that if we continue to take the cautious
steps we currently are, the wave will not be as harsh as the first two waves.
Former member of the epidemiological committee Saad
Kharabsheh told Jordan News, “We hope that (the) vaccination process continues
to work well, and although the percentage right now stands at around 10
percent. We need to reach 30–40 percent while also keeping in mind that the
first two waves may have increased the immunity of those infected, but the
announced cases range between 75,000 and 100,000, and I believe that the total
number of cases may actually be a few times more than that. We can only hope
that if a third wave hits, we will have a good percentage of social immunity
based on the numbers of those infected and those vaccinated.”
Ensuring the vaccination of people working in sectors that
are intending to open is “critical”, he said, adding that the process must be
accelerated over the coming two months.
“We estimate that by late July or August, society’s immunity
will be reasonable, which will mitigate the third wave if it occurs. In all
cases, individuals must not to neglect preventative measures,” Kharbasheh
added.
Mohammad Azoqa, a member of the Private Hospital
Association, also believes that vaccinations are a key factor in helping the
country reach a “safe summer”. “The joint efforts of the ministry and the
Crisis Management Cell are reflecting on the country. Private hospitals have
reported an increase in the amount of vaccinations, which is an important
aspect in ensuring a safe summer,” he said.
These measures have helped to aid the recovery of the
tourism sector in
Jordan. In media statements, Head of the Jordanian Hotel
Association Abdul Hakim Al-Hindi announced that the Dead Sea area will be
designated a safe tourist destination next Thursday, following the success of
the coronavirus vaccination campaign. According to his statement “all workers
and tourism service providers in the Dead Sea region will receive two doses of
the coronavirus vaccination next Wednesday.” Furthermore, employees who have
not been vaccinated will not be allowed to enter hotel facilities at the Dead
Sea, the statement said.
Ismail Matalka, professor of pathology at King Abdullah
University Hospital and Jordan University of Science and Technology, told
Jordan News that he believes “we are nearing a safe shore from the pandemic, as
cases are decreasing and the situation is currently being managed to the best
of our ability. If we make it through this week, it will be a positive
indication that things are under control. The vaccine program is also going
well, with nearly 2.5 million people registering on the website despite
previous citizen resistance. Within a month, we will be able to meet a
significant number of vaccinated people, boosting society immunity by around 50
percent. This is no reason, however, for people to ignore precautionary
measures in any way. We must all take care of ourselves and our country if
things are to go smoothly.”
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