Muscat: The 29th press meet of the Supreme Committee on covid-19 advised being on guard even after the decrease in the number of coronavirus cases. “Even though the numbers have come down, the virus is still there,” the committee said.
Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Saidi, Minister of Health, opened the press conference by declaring 50 laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 cases, bringing the total cases registered in the Sultanate of Oman to 38,8379 and the recovery rate at 98.6 per cent.
The new mutant (Omicron) and the other strains that emerged from it are less dangerous than before, but Omicron spread faster. Within two years and three months of the pandemic, the decisions of the Supreme Committee are taken based on the local, regional and international epidemiological situation and the experiences of other countries. It is necessary to take the booster dose. Vaccination is very important as the Sultanate of Oman has a good stock of medicines.
Dr Ahmed al Saidi said, “If you got the vaccination, by adhering to the precautionary measures, you would protect yourself and the community from infection... We did not detect any serious side effects of the first and second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Currently, the mandatory vaccination against Covid-19 is first and second doses only.”
The Minister of Health focused on the necessity of taking the vaccine to raise the level of acquired immunity, which reduces the symptoms of infection. But unfortunately, the percentage of Omanis who took the third booster dose was only 10 per cent, which shows that the numbers among Omanis for the third dose are very low.
Bader al Rawahi, Director of Infectious Diseases Control at the Ministry of Health, mentioned that there is still 10 per cent who have not received the vaccination, and the booster dose raises immunity from 75 per cent to 80 per cent, and there are studies suggesting the second booster (fourth dose) to reduce complications of the disease. He added the Ministry of Health is aiming at administering the vaccine against the Coronavirus to children in the age group of 5 to 11,as the Sultanate of Oman has approved 11 vaccines and vaccines for children will be received during the first half of this year.
Regarding those coming from abroad, it is mandatory to have a polymerisation examination for those coming to the Sultanate of Oman, whether for work or tourism. Also, Omani citizens will return to use the identity card to cross borders in the Gulf countries, and this has been agreed upon with the Inspector General of Police and Customs.
Children under 12 years are not allowed to attend the mosques. Also, there are several mechanisms for Iftar without gatherings.
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