COVID-19 cases drop; prayers to wipe out virus

For the first time in the last few weeks, Oman registered less than 800 daily COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. The last instance when cases were below the 800 mark was on March 29.

According to an official update from the Ministry of Health (MoH) on Wednesday, 770 new cases were recorded accounting for a total of 198,572. There were nine COVID-19 fatalities in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 2,071.

The drop in cases comes as Oman braces for a closure of commercial activities starting from May 8 being enforced with the objective of further controlling transmission in the coming days.

While daily infection count has fallen, the number of recoveries is seen increasing. On Wednesday, 1,372 COVID-19 patients recovered, accounting for a total of 180,547 recoveries and recovery rate of 91 per cent.

The number of hospital admissions is also seen decreasing with 782 patients in health institutions, including 281 in intensive care, on Wednesday. There were 813 COVID-19 patients in health institutions on Tuesday.

MoH continues to advise 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.

The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs called on the faithful throughout the sultanate to perform two 'rak'ah' prayers to supplicate to God Almighty to wipe out the pandemic from Oman and the whole world.

The ministry also announced that His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad al Khalili, Grand Mufti of the sultanate, will pray for the end of the pandemic which will be broadcast on Oman TV at 12.30 pm on May 7.