Doha (AFP)
Qatar confirmed on Thursday the first death due to Covid-19 in the ranks of employees of the 2022 World Cup.
The death of an engineer who had no medical problems was first announced by Doha News, a popular news site for expatriates.
"Unfortunately, on June 11, 2020, a 51-year-old engineer, employed by the contractor Conspel, died tragically after contracting the Covid-19", said the organizing committee of the Mondial in a press release, without specifying his nationality .
A source close to the organizing committee told AFP that 1,102 cases of Covid-19 had been identified among the workers of the World Cup, which is to be held from November 21 to December 18, 2022.
Qatar has one of the highest infection rates per capita in the world, with 3.3% of its 2.75 million people infected.
More than 90,000 cases have been reported in the country and the death toll has risen to 104, according to official figures released Wednesday evening.
Work on the Mondial sites, 80% complete according to officials in Qatar, has slowed down due to containment and physical distancing measures.
Qatar has embarked on a cautious deconfinement, notably authorizing prayers in certain mosques.
Cafes and restaurants must reopen in the midst of hygiene measures and physical distance from July 1.
© 2020 AFP