Covid-19: Oman likely to witness increase in positive cases

Muscat: Since mid-October, the rate of positive cases has dropped in the Sultanate but it is likely to increase, Oman's Minister of Health said on Sunday.

The Minister of Health said in his speech in front of Shura Council members: "The number of infections is likely to increase considering the continuation of the pandemic globally. On the other hand, the use of non-pharmacological interventions (such as bans, closure of activities and borders) has become a major challenge for states and governments."

"The last update of the data indicated a significant decrease in the number of infections, deaths, and rates of positive results for Covid 19 since mid-October 2020," he added. Locally, the number of COVID-19 cases from the beginning of the pandemic to date has reached more than 133,044 confirmed cases of which 10,685 cases needed admission. 1,521 Covid -19 related deaths were registered.

The minister stressed: "The solutions for the next stage are limited to strengthening social and institutional preventive measures (such as physical distancing, wearing masks and hand hygiene) in order to live safely with the pandemic until the vaccination of target groups in the Sultanate is completed according to the established plan."