Saudi Gazette report

MUSCAT — Oman on Friday announced 1,132 new coronavirus cases and nine more virus-related deaths over the past 24 hours, according to a statement carried by Oman News Agency.

This brings the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Sultanate to 36,034 and fatalities due to complications resulting from the infection to 153.

Of the newly detected cases, 639 were of Omani citizens and 493 were of expatriates from different countries, the statement added.

The ministry also said that the overall recoveries from the deadly disease reached 19,482.

On Thursday, in a warning to citizens and residents, Dr. Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al-Saidi, Oman’s Minister of Health, who is also a member of the country’s supreme committee tasked with tackling developments of coronavirus pandemic, said that the resumption of office work and economic activities does not an end to the practice of precautionary and preventive measures.

“In the meantime, there is no evidence that the re-opening of the first, second or third set of activities has had any direct role in increasing COVID-19-positive cases,” Dr. Ahmed added.

The minister made the statement during the 11th press conference held by the supreme committee since the outbreak of the pandemic.

The reason for the increase in cases was due to a lack of compliance with preventive measures. If the number of cases increases, Oman may open field hospitals, the minister warned.