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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

New Covid-19 strain: MoH warns of increase in Covid-19 cases

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Muscat: Muscat: The government on Tuesday warned of an increase in the number of cases as the Ministry of Health reported the first case of the new highly infectious Coronavirus strain in the Sultanate. The first case of COVID-19 was reported in Oman last year on February 24.


The new strain was initially found in the UK and later reported in other parts of the world.


MOH said that the genetic mutation of the COVID-19 virus was diagnosed in a resident who came to the Sultanate from the United Kingdom and showed respiratory symptoms while undergoing health isolation.


However, it may be noted that the -19 tests conducted on the person before his arrival and upon his arrival in the Sultanate had turned out to be negative.


Dr Saif al Abri, Director General of Infectious Diseases Control and Control, said that Oman is one of the first countries in the world to be able to provide the vaccine and he urged the target groups to take the vaccine


He confirmed that the Pfizer vaccine is appropriate and safe enough according to the available information.


Al Abri said that with the discovery of the first case of the new COVID-19 strain, there are chances of an increase in the number of new COVID -19 cases, bringing back the extra load on health institutions.


He said the symptoms appeared in the patient three days after coming to the Sultanate. “As there is a possibility that the patient got the virus from airports or other places, so quarantine is mandatory upon arrival. This strain affects those in the age group 20 years old and less.


Around 70 per cent of the cases reported in the Sultanate is related to travel.


So far 10,278 people have taken vaccination in the Sultanate, which is 39per cent of the target groups.


So far, 3,956 people got vaccinated in Muscat, followed by 1049 in South Batinah, 2058 in North Batinah, 670 in North Sharqiyah, 836 in Al Dhakilyah, 607 in South Sharqiyah, and 515 in Dhofar Governorate.


Speaking to the Observer, an official at the Bausher clinic said, “Vaccines are provided to people above the age of 65 with chronic diseases. On average, we receive around 100 to 150 people a day for vaccination.”


England went into a new national lockdown to try to slow a surge in COVID-19 cases that threatens to overwhelm parts of the health system before a vaccine program reaches a critical mass.


@vinot_nair


 


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