Record 778 patients in hospitals
The pressure on health institutions is increasing by the day with 778 COVID-19 patients currently in hospitals, including 264 in intensive care. The current hospital and ICU admissions are the highest since the outbreak of the pandemic.
The number of hospital admissions is also increasing in Dhofar. ‘In April alone, 160 patients were hospitalised, of which 49 were in ICU. There were 25 deaths. As of today, 105 are in health institutions, including 45 in ICUs,’ the Directorate General of Health Services in Dhofar said in a statement on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) reported 1,269 new cases on Wednesday, taking the total number of cases in Oman to 175,633, while the number of deaths rose to 1,807 after nine deaths were reported on the day.
There were 874 recoveries on the day. ‘The number of recoveries has increased to 155,645,’ an MoH statement said, adding the rate of recovery has decreased to 89 per cent.
Good turnout for vaccination
Separately, MoH announced that the total number of vaccinated individuals in the country (who received either the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines) as of Wednesday was 173,789.
The Directorate General of Health Services in Muscat, with the support of the Directorate General of Scouts and Guides, began an immunisation campaign for those eligible for the second dose of vaccine in four centres in Muscat.
‘The vaccination centres witnessed a good turnout with Scouts and Guides managing the movement and providing support for the campaign,’ Oman News Agency reported.
MoH advises all citizens and residents to continue washing hands with water and soap, avoid touching the face, nose, mouth and eyes, and follow healthy habits when coughing and sneezing.