230,000 citizens, residents yet to take vaccines

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 95,271 of the third dose.

96% of the citizens in target groups received the first dose.

90% of the citizens in target groups received the second dose.

90% of the residents in target groups received the first dose.

83% of the residents in target groups received the second dose.

About 230,000 (citizens and residents) have not received any vaccination dose so far.

4% of the target group received the third and the booster 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.