Saturday 27 / July / 2024
MUSCAT: More than 600 people in Oman have died from COVID-19 in the month of June 2021 alone. According to figures published by the Ministry of Health, the country reported 119 deaths in a span of just three days from Thursday, June 24, to Saturday, June 26, which means 611 people have so far died from COVID-19 in June.
2,967 people in total have died from COVID-19 until June 26, 2021 up from 2,356 deaths as of June 1.
“This is the highest death rate we have seen during the pandemic,” said Ibrahim Al Maimani, a data analyst in the country. “The previous highest rate was this April, when 344 deaths were recorded, which meant we unfortunately had a daily rate of 11.5 deaths per day.”
Oman has also recorded more than 43,000 new infections of the coronavirus during this month. On June 1, the total number of cases in the country stood at 218,271, a number that jumped to 262,059 on June 26.
During this time, nearly 30,000 people have recovered from the virus. 200,421 people were reported to have recovered on 1 June, a statistic that rose to 229,998 on June 26. Oman’s recovery rate is now 87.8 per cent.
“Over the weekend, Oman saw 5,517 new infections, which means we now have 44,835 people who are currently infected with COVID-19,” added Al Maimani.“This is an average of 1,661 new daily infections.”
Hospitalisation rates have shot up 102 per cent during this period. While there were 808 people in hospital on May 31, there are now 1,635 patients with COVID-19 in hospitals.
Similarly, the number of patients in intensive care has increased from 247 on May 31, to 489 people on June 26, pointing to a 98 per cent jump in ICU admission rates.
“Today, we saw the highest numbers of deaths being reported,” said Al Maimani. “We saw 42 deaths on both Thursday and Saturday, and since 214 patients have been admitted in the last 24 hours, this has seen a new single-day record here as well.”
Over the weekend, 35 people also died from COVID-19 on Friday. To bring down the infection rates in the country, the Ministry of Health has asked people to get vaccinated as soon as they are able, and to continue following COVID-19 precautions.
“Approach a vaccination centre as soon as you are notified that you are within the target group for the vaccine,” said the Ministry of Health in an advisory.
“Commit to taking the second dose of the vaccine, after the specified period from the date of the first, so that you obtain the desired effectiveness, as one dose of the vaccine is not sufficient.”
“Be aware that the effects of the vaccine begin 14 days after taking the second dose, to get the desired effect,” explained the ministry.
“Before this period, the person is still susceptible to infection, and he should go to healthcare institutions if he has any suspected symptoms.”
Immediately after being injected with the vaccine, people are required to wait at the centre for 15 minutes, to make sure no dangerous side effects are recorded.
To reduce vaccine side-effects, the ministry advises applying a cold compress to the injection site to reduce any pain or swelling people might experience there, and use antibiotics such as paracetamol every six to eight hours to counter any fevers, headaches or joint pain people might suffer from.
“If these symptoms persist of if you experience severe side effects, please go to the nearest health institution,” the ministry advised. “Do not heed rumours and fake news – take vaccine information from reliable, official sources.”
