Bahrain Turns Car Park into ICU for Virus Patients

Medical staff stand ready in the newly-inaugurated intensive care unit for COVID-19 patients in what was the third floor parking lot of a hospital near Manama. (AFP)
Medical staff stand ready in the newly-inaugurated intensive care unit for COVID-19 patients in what was the third floor parking lot of a hospital near Manama. (AFP)
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Bahrain Turns Car Park into ICU for Virus Patients

Medical staff stand ready in the newly-inaugurated intensive care unit for COVID-19 patients in what was the third floor parking lot of a hospital near Manama. (AFP)
Medical staff stand ready in the newly-inaugurated intensive care unit for COVID-19 patients in what was the third floor parking lot of a hospital near Manama. (AFP)

Bahrain has turned a car park near the capital Manama into an intensive care unit with 130 beds for patients infected with the novel coronavirus, in a first in the Gulf.

The new ICU in the covered car park was set up as a precautionary measure in case of a spike in cases of the COVID-19 respiratory disease, officials said.

The Gulf country, whose population stands at 1.5 million, has recorded more than 1,500 cases, of whom seven people have died and 645 have recovered.

According to official statistics, only three people are currently in critical condition.

"The new ICU is a precautionary step in case there are any developments," Sheikh Khalid bin Ali Al-Khalifa, the Royal Medical Services commander, told reporters at the inauguration on Tuesday.

"We are able in record time, in seven days, to establish this unit with 130 beds... working day and night,” he added, according to AFP. "This is the first time that such an equipped (temporary) unit has been established in the Gulf."

The ICU was set up by the defense ministry in cooperation with other government bodies, on the third floor of a military hospital which had served as a parking lot.

The beds were lined up in three rows as medical staff tested respiratory equipment on Tuesday.

Some 800 doctors and nurses have been training to deal with infected patients in critical condition since February, when Bahrain recorded its first cases, according to Nayef Lori, director of the ICU project.

Bahrain has taken strict measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, including restricting movement and halting all flights.

The bridge connecting Bahrain with Saudi Arabia has been closed for weeks.

Although many measures remain in place, Bahraini authorities loosened some restrictions last week by allowing some retail stores to open their doors.



Trump Arrives in Riyadh on Official Visit 

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, (R) meets with US President Donald Trump in Riyadh on May 13, 2025. (AFP)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, (R) meets with US President Donald Trump in Riyadh on May 13, 2025. (AFP)
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Trump Arrives in Riyadh on Official Visit 

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, (R) meets with US President Donald Trump in Riyadh on May 13, 2025. (AFP)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, (R) meets with US President Donald Trump in Riyadh on May 13, 2025. (AFP)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomed on Tuesday US President Donald Trump in Riyadh as he embarked on his first official visit abroad since his reelection. 

The visit aims to deepen the strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia.   

Trump is also set to visit the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.   

The Saudi government, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, welcomed the visit on Monday, hoping it would bolster cooperation and the partnership between the Kingdom and the US.   

Prior to his departure, Trump had described his visit to the Gulf as “historic”.   

Saudi Arabia was the destination of Trump's first foreign visit during his first term in office in 2017.