Oman to name and shame rule breakers after surge in infections

Oman said it would begin naming people who broke coronavirus rules after cases exceeded 50,000.

The country reported 1,210 new infections and nine deaths yesterday, taking its case tally to 50,207 and the death toll to 233.

A week ago, Oman’s health ministry said it was concerned by a surge in infections in the previous six weeks.

The government said it would publish the names and images of people who flouted the rules.

It also increased penalties for those caught.

Oman’s Supreme Committee expressed “strong dissatisfaction” with those breaking the rules.

“The committee affirms that it will deal with these violators in various ways in a manner that preserves the safety of individuals and society in general,” it said.

Oman, a country of 4.7 million people, will start a 10week nationwide survey on Sunday to analyse the spread of the virus, including taking blood samples to detect antibodies.

In March, Oman began to introduce restrictions in regions such as Dhofar, but a month later it gradually allowed commercial centres to reopen and lifted restrictions in the Muscat region.

Oman’s borders remain closed, except for repatriation flights.

Saudi Arabia has recorded more than 220,000 cases about 2,000 deaths since the outbreak began.

Yesterday, the kingdom’s health ministry confirmed 3,036 new cases and 42 deaths.

Of the 60,035 active cases receiving medical care, 2,263 are in a critical condition. The kingdom said 3,211 patients recovered yesterday, bringing the its tally of recoveries to 158,050.

Iran continued to suffer huge losses from the virus, as its death toll topped 12,000.

On Tuesday, Iran reported its highest single-day Covid-19 fatality count, with 200 people dying from infection.

Iran’s Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said another 153 deaths were recorded yesterday, bringing the total to 12,084.

The number of infections also neared 250,000 after 2,691 people tested positive.

Nine of Iran’s 31 provinces are classified as red, the highest category on its virus risk scale. Another 10 areas are on alert, including Tehran province, Ms Lari said.

“Tehran is facing a very fragile situation,” Alireza Zali, the head of the city’s virus task force, said.

“The number of infections, deaths and hospitalisations have been on a sharp rising trajectory in the past 10 days.”

Iran closed schools, cancelled public events and banned movement between its 31 provinces in March, but the government eased restrictions from April as its economy suffered.

Mr Zali said Tehran needed “more restrictive measures” to contain the virus and would discuss the matter at an emergency meeting with the health minister.

His deputy, Ali Maher, told the ISNA news agency that restrictions could be reintroduced on Saturday.