Muscat: The Supreme Committee is holding a press conference, which is chaired by Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed al Saeedi, Minister of Health, member of the Supreme Committee, and attended by Dr. Saif bin Salim al Abri, Director General of Disease Control at the Ministry of Health, and Bader bin Saif al Rawahi, director of Infectious Disease Control. It may be noted that the last press conference was held on November 15, when the country had only a handful of active cases.
Highlights:
MOH reports 69 patients in the last 24 hours. One patient was admitted to the hospital, bringing the total to 11, including two cases in intensive care units.
Minister of Health: The person who died of Covid-19 on Sunday was unvaccinated.
Minister of Health: Over 6 million doses (6,129, 076) administered so far, including 59,000 of the third dose.
Minister of Health: There is a steady rise in cases of late.
Ministry of Health: A circular from the Ministry of Labor prevents any employee from entering his workplace unless he has received two doses of the vaccine.
Minister of Health: The third dose is for immunocompromised and the booster dose for those from 18 years of age. There is no tendency to make the third dose mandatory, and this dose according to studies can enhance immunity against the Omicron variant.
Minister of Heath: The Supreme Committee will not take measures that might affect the economy or social life, but it will issue appropriate decisions if it is forced to do so.
Dr. Saif Al-Abri: 90 suspected cases of “Omicron” currently being studied have received the vaccine. Their health condition is stable.
Dr. Saif al Abri: Symptoms of Omicron cases are minor compared to other variants, but as it can spread fast we can expect an increase in the number of inpatients, which may put pressure on the health system.
Minister of Health: The decisions of the Supreme Committee are valid until January 31, 2022 AD, if the situation does not change for the worse. Any decision may be reviewed in light of the local, regional and global epidemiological situation.
Minister of Health: Vaccines are available free of charge to citizens and residents.
Bader al Rawahi: Studies say that two doses of the vaccine give about 22 percent immunity against Omicron while the third dose will offer 75 percent immunity.
Minister of Health: There has been no increase in Covid-19 cases in schools because precautionary measures are followed by the staff.
Minister of Health: Movement between the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates is still continuing and only for citizens of the two countries the validity of the PCR test is 14 days.
Ministry of Health (MoH) on Sunday reported 121 new cases of Covid-19 and one death.
Of 121 cases announced on Sunday, 43 cases were reported on Thursday, 31 on Friday, and 47 on Saturday, bringing the total number of cases registered to 305,105, including 4,114 deaths.
The last Covid-19 related death recorded in the Sultanate of Oman was 53 days ago on November 3.
The recovery rate dropped slightly to 98.4 percent as active cases shot up to 64 from 38 on Thursday.
In the last 24 hours, three patients were admitted to hospitals across the country, taking the number of inpatients to 13, including two in the intensive care units.
Elsewhere in the neighborhood, the UAE recorded 1,803 new cases on Sunday, including two deaths.
Authorities there have urged people to act responsibly during the holiday season and continue to abide by precautionary measures such as the wearing of masks when outdoors.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has instructed mosques across the kingdom to ensure worshippers’ compliance with precautions against Covid-19 in view of the rising cases.
The ministry has called on imams and preachers to educate society about the importance of maintaining public health and adherence to the regulations.
Saudi Arabia has increased the push for the vaccine, announcing that everyone 18 years of age or older will need to get a booster dose by February 2022.
Jordan, UAE, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia have been added to Qatar’s red list.
Of 121 cases announced in the country on Sunday, 43 cases were reported on Thursday, 31 on Friday, and 47 on Saturday, besides one death
