Friday 19 / April / 2024
Muscat: Citizens and officials in Oman’s southern Dhofar Governorate have praised the efforts taken by the government to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Owing to an increase in the number of coronavirus patients admitted to intensive care, a lockdown between 6 pm and 5 am, starting from Saturday, April 17, 2021, has been instituted in the region.
“The number of hospitalised patients is increasing,” said Dr Nasser bin Amer Al Awed, of the Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah. “The number of patients in intensive care is increasing.”
As of Saturday, there were 111 patients admitted to the hospital, as well as a further 54 in ICUs.
“10 to 15 patients are on ventilators: they have a high likelihood of death,” added Al Awed, speaking to Oman TV.
“A number of patients died, and their places were taken by others who needed hospitalisation. This increase in cases is very worrying. To limit this escalation, people must commit to the precautionary measures. They need to think of their safety, and that of their families and society.”
Adding to this, Major Tariq bin Awad Al Shanfari of the Royal Oman Police, said the increase in infections is due to people violating the decisions of the Supreme Committee to deal with COVID-19, particularly during the time when businesses are supposed to be closed, and people are not permitted to move outdoors.
“We hope the decision to extend the hours of the ban will have a positive effect on limiting the increases in infection rates,” he said.
Residents and citizens of the governorate have been advised to adhere to the precautionary measures and abide by the decisions of the Supreme Committee by staying at home and going out only when necessary. Those going outside must wear masks and stay away from crowded places while maintaining physical distancing.
Alongside government-installed measures, Mwasalat have also announced the suspension of their bus services on Route 100, which connects Dhofar’s capital Salalah to Muscat, until further notice.
