Oman's Covid-19 infections hit daily high for 2021 as hospital admissions rise

Coronavirus infections in Oman surged to a single-day record on Tuesday, as the sultanate’s Minister of Health said an increase in intensive care patients was a "matter of concern".

The Ministry of Health reported 337 new cases of Covid-19 with one death, bringing the total number of cases to 137,929. The death toll stands at 1,544.

The previous highest daily number of infections this year was recorded on February 8 with 316 infected people.

“There has been a noticeable and worrying increase in the number of people in intensive care with the coronavirus, and we stress that the Supreme Committee will take measures against those who fail to abide by its decision,” said Dr Ahmed Al Saidi.

He said the number of intensive care patients has increased by “over 100 per cent in just two weeks.”

“Some patients in the intensive care unit were offered vaccination and they refused. This is a matter of concern, too,” Dr Al Saidi said.

The ministry said 28 patients were admitted to hospital during the previous 24 hours, taking the total number of inpatients in hospitals to 141, including 42 in Intensive Care Units.

Oman has closed land borders for over a month, except to food and medicine delivery vehicles.

Last Friday, the supreme committee responsible for Covid-19 ordered all beaches and parks to be closed for two weeks, while a night-time lockdown was introduced in the governorate of North Sharqiyah.

Dr Al Saidi said the country was considering closing flights from Tanzania and other high risk countries. Flights from Tanzania to Oman brought the highest number of positive cases, 18 per cent more than any other inbound flights.

“It is a very high number. Therefore, the committee is studying stopping flights coming from countries that have a high rate of infection,” Dr Al Saidi said.

On February 10, Oman made it mandatory for all incoming travellers to face institutional quarantine in hotels for seven days, at their own expense.

Also this month, it began the second phase of vaccinations after receiving 100,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured under licence by the Serum Institute of India.

The Sultanate began its first vaccination campaign using Pfizer-BioNTech inoculations on December 7, reaching 30,000 people.

Omanis said the government needs to do more to control gatherings.

"I am not surprised infections are increasing. It is no use to repeatedly say people do not adhere to coronavirus rules and regulations. We need [more] police patrolling the streets and roads," said Hesham Al Habsi, 56, a petroleum engineer.

Oman on Tuesday announced a toll-free number for "residents and citizens" to alert the authorities of illegal gatherings.

"This is a good decision to notify authorities of Covid-19 law breakers. But we notice that most law breakers are young people. They will not blow the whistle on themselves and parents will not pick up their phones to report their children since there are fines to pay," said Ismail Al Adawi, 67, a retired civil defence officer.

Owners of houses where people gather are liable to pay 1,500 Omani rials ($3,750) while each guest would pay a fine of 100 rials.