Supreme Committee on Covid-19 meets in Oman

Muscat: The Supreme Committee to deal with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic is meeting today and holding a press conference.

Here are the latest updates:

1. In last 24 hours 32 deaths and 1,886 new infections have been recorded, says His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Saidi, Minister of Health.

2. His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Saidi, Minister of Health: "The number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals is 1,541 and 464 are in intensive care."

3. 1,515,130 doses of COVID-19 vaccines given in the Sultanate so far.

Also read: No closure of airports, lockdown planned currently for Oman: Minister of Health

4. 3,200,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines to reach Oman from the beginning of July till end of September, says Minister of Health.

5. We are aiming to vaccinate all target groups in Oman with one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before the end of August says Minister of Health.

6. Flights between Oman and India limited to returning Omani citizens, transporting health personnel, shipping goods, and facilitating the return of Indian citizens to their country, says Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, in charge of the Civil Aviation Authority.

7. Brigadier General Mohammed bin Nasser Al Kindi, Director General of Operations at the Royal Oman Police: "The ROP has recorded violations against commercial establishments and for people gathering in private and public places."

Read: 1,515,130 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been given in Oman so far

8. Rate of spread of the novel coronavirus has increased by around 80 per cent during the current wave due to mutated strains,” Dr.Saif Salim Al Abri, Director General of Disease Surveillance and Control, Ministry of Health.

9. "There are worrisome mutations of the virus, including the Beta, Gamma, Alpha and Delta variants detected in Oman. The Delta variant is the most dangerous because of its rapid spread," Dr. Al Abri says.

10. “Family gatherings, non-compliance with preventive measures are the main reasons for the spread of COVID-19 in Oman,” says Dr. Al Abri.

11. His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Saidi, Minister of Health: “The absorptive capacity of health institutions in the Sultanate has increased, compared to other developed countries.”

12. "Will neither confirm or deny reports of a complete lockdown in Oman as it depends on the situation. If a complete lockdown is announced, it will be for the safety of our citizens," says Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Saidi, Minister of Health.

13. An extensive study was conducted and we saw that the partial (evening) closure in Oman has been effective in reducing Covid-19 cases: Dr.Saif Salim Al Abri, Director General of Disease Surveillance and Control, Ministry of Health.

14. "Currently no plan to close airport or enforce a complete lockdown in Oman, but future decisions based on the pandemic situation," says His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Saidi, Minister of Health.

15. "A new set of target groups for Covid-19 vaccination as part of the National Campaign for Immunisation to be announced next week," says Dr. Saif Salim Al Abri, Director General of Disease Surveillance and Control, Ministry of Health.

16. Bader Saif Al Rawahi Director of Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health said, "40,000 people are vaccinated daily in Oman of which 16,000 are in Muscat Governorate."

17. "We have started to notice an increase in the percentage of infected people of all age groups, especially those in the age group of 30 to 50 years. There are also cases of Covid-19 in children aged 12 years and under," says Dr. Saif Salim Al Abri. "Receiving the vaccine will be a condition in the coming period for entering schools and other government institutions," Dr. Al Abri says.

18. "Oman will not exclude anyone from vaccinations but we are following a strategy," says His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Saidi, Minister of Health.

19. Oman accords emergency use permission to Russian, Chinese vaccines. "An emergency use license has also been granted in the Sultanate for four vaccines, namely Pfizer-Biontech, Oxford/AstraZeneca, Sputnik and Sinovac vaccines," says Dr. Saif Salim Al Abri, Director General of Disease Surveillance and Control, Ministry of Health.

20. Pregnant women added to list of those in target groups for Covid-19 vaccination. Vaccines in use in Oman deemed to be safe for this category.

21. Minister of Health: 

* 567 doctors have joined work since the beginning of the pandemic.

* 2,046 nurses have been hired since the beginning of the pandemic.

* 1,144 ventilators are available in the Sultanate and there is no truth to rumours of a shortage.

* 85 oxygen concentrators available and factories can provide us with more to cover our needs.