The Ministry of Health (MoH) on Tuesday confirmed 1,318 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the total to 32,394 

Among the newly diagnosed cases, 853 were Omanis and 465 were expatriates. The ministry conducted 3,940 tests on suspected cases in the last 24 hours, of which 1,318 turned positive. 

‘The number of new recoveries is 871, taking the total to 17,279, while the number of deaths has reached 140,’ an MoH statement said. As of Tuesday, a total of 421 patients were admitted in hospitals while 97 were in ICU. 

Musandam with just 13 cases leads the race of containing the pandemic, while Dhahirah (309), Buraimi (351), and Dhofar (398) fare better than most other governorates which have cases upwards of 500, some running into thousands.  

MoH calls upon all to adhere to the isolation procedures by staying in an isolated room with an attached toilet and serving the isolated person from outside the room as instructed. It said that social distancing also helps curb the spread of the virus.   

MoH advises all citizens and residents to keep on washing hands with water and soap, avoiding touching the face, nose, mouth, and eyes and following healthy habits when coughing and sneezing.