Wednesday 17 / April / 2024
Muscat: The Supreme Committee charged with overseeing the Covid-19 pandemic is holding a press conference to announce new statistics or decisions for the Sultanate of Oman today.
Attending the press conference will be Oman's Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Saidi as well as Dr Amal Bint Saif Al Maani, a consultant in infectious diseases and infection control at the Ministry of Health, Brigadier General Mohammed Al Kindi, Director General, Operations, Royal Oman Police and a representative from the Ministry of Justice.
Here are the latest updates:
1- Oman’s Health Minister starts off the press conference by taking the third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
2- There have been 8 new cases of Covid-19, 13 new recoveries and 0 deaths in Oman. Two patients of Yemeni nationality continue to remain in the ICU, the Health Minister said.
3- “The third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine is different from a ‘booster’ dose. It is important that cancer patients, those who have undergone an organ transplant, have AIDS and patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs take this dose,” His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Saidi, Minister of Health said.
4- Oman’s health sector was on the verge of collapse during the last wave of Covid-19, Health Minister Dr. Al Saidi says.
5- “The fear and concern of having to face another wave of Covid-19 exists in Oman as in other countries around the world. Vaccination alone is not enough. The Supreme Committee is closely monitoring the situation,” says Health Minister Dr. Al Saidi.
6- “The authorities will soon announce measures against those who violate the rule restricting entry into government and commercial institutions for those who have been vaccinated,” says Health Minister Dr. Al Saidi.
7- On gatherings and prayers at Mosques, Dr. Al Saidi said, “Unfortunately, there is a call for closer rows of worshippers for prayer in mosques. There is no one in mosques who can make sure that all worshippers have been vaccinated. The decision of the Supreme Committee to prevent gatherings is still valid.
8- On the possibility of another closure or ban, Health Minister Dr. Al Saidi said, “We hope we will not have to closedown or impose a ban again. I appeal to all to take necessary precautionary measures which have been set by the Supreme Committee. We keep hearing news of people opting for hugs and handshakes which is sad news.”
9- “We have noticed a steady increase in influenza cases, especially influenza (A), and there have been outbreaks of influenza that extended upto 100 people, and we have monitored deaths due to it as well,” says Dr. Amal Bint Saif Al Maani, Consultant, MoH.
10- “There is no consensus reached yet on a ‘health passport’ for citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. There are certain reservations,” Health Minister Dr. Al Saidi said.
11- “A working group has been formed by the Ministries of Education and Health to ensure vaccination in the educational sector,” Dr. Al Saidi added.
12- “The Delta variant of the Covid-19 virus is now spread worldwide, there is no intention at the moment for any closures, but the Committee could decide to return to classification of countries by Red/Green/Yellow method if needed,” Health Minister Dr. Al Saidi.
13- “Travel controls and procedures for entry of travellers from countries depends on the clinical situation and the capability of those countries to deal with the pandemic,” says Dr. Amal Bint Saif Al Maani, Consultant, MoH. Health Minister Dr. Al Saidi added, “There is no intention at present to close airports or stop flights to Oman from any destination at the present time.”
14- “The Sultanate of Oman has requested that GCC country citizens be exempted from (RT) PCR examinations, at the last meeting held in the Kingdom of Bahrain. However, no decision has been taken yet,” Health Minister Dr. Al Saidi.
15- “In Oman, the third dose of vaccination, including booster doses, will be the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, regardless of which vaccine has been taken in the past. Regarding PCR tests, there is follow-up to reduce prices as much as possible,” says Health Minister Dr. Al Saidi.
16- “The decisions of the Supreme Committee, with regard to travellers coming to Oman remain the same. Take two doses minimum and conduct a PCR test before leaving the country of origin or on arrival in Oman,” Dr. Al Saidi said.
17- “Isolation of 10 days for persons infected with Covid-19 entering the Sultanate,” Dr. Al Saidi says.
18- No side complications from children wearing masks according to specialists from paediatric and public health sectors: Dr. Amal Bint Saif Al Maani, Consultant, MoH.
