No cases of coronavirus in GCC countries: Health Council

Muscat: No coronavirus cases have been reported in the GCC countries, according to the Health Council of GCC. The Ministry of Health published a statement by the Health Council of GCC countries that said: “We inform all that no new cases of coronavirus have been registered in any of the GCC countries.” Meanwhile, airports across Oman have begun to put into practice the procedures required to screen travellers coming from China and other countries that have reported cases of coronavirus infections, in order to limit the spread of its symptoms. The plans will be carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Royal Oman Police. In a statement to the Times of Oman, a senior official at Oman Airports said, “All of our teams are prepared for any emergencies that could arise in this case.” A statement released by Oman Airports said, “In cooperation with the Ministry of Health and our strategic partners, we confirm the readiness of our airports to deal with any suspected cases of the emerging coronavirus in accordance with the international regulations and procedures taken under these circumstances.” “Oman Airports have raised the alertness levels of the medical and other concerned teams at the airports,” the organisation added. “Sterilisers and protective face masks have been provided for the use of staff and passengers who sneeze, cough, or carry any similar symptoms.” A meeting organised at the Directorate General for Disease Surveillance and Control by Dr Ahmed Al Saidi, the Minister of Health, discussed the Sultanate’s preparedness towards the coronavirus. It was attended by Undersecretary of Ministry of Health along with the members of the Central Committee for Public Health Emergency. The meeting discussed the public health plan, particularly the preparations and procedures used to examine the arrivals that are coming from the nCoV-infected areas to the airports and ports of the Sultanate. In addition, the meeting discussed the preparations of the hospitals and health institutions to address any suspected cases, as well as the provision of laboratory fluids and reagents in the Central Public Health Laboratory. The meeting also touched upon the community outreach plan through the formal social media channels. “The Ministry of Health (MoH) urges all citizens and residents to take the information through the official statements issued by the Ministry and communicate with the ministry via the MoH call centre on 2444 1999 in case of any inquiry,” said a Ministry statement. Additionally, the Sultanate’s Embassy in Beijing has confirmed that Omani students studying in China are doing well and are not affected by the ongoing coronavirus spread. “Omani students residing in China are fine and their conditions are not cause for concern,” said the Oman News Agency. “Omani officials in China are monitoring their health continuously and have appealed to them the need to adhere to the preventive measures taken by the Chinese health authorities to deal with this epidemic.”