The Ministry of Health (MoH) on Saturday confirmed 1,177 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the total to 45,106. 

Among the newly diagnosed cases, 969 were Omanis and 208 were expatriates. The ministry conducted 2,992 tests on suspected cases in the last 24 hours, of which 1,177 turned positive. 

‘The number of new recoveries is 799, taking the total to 26,968, while the number of deaths has reached 203,’ an MoH statement said. As of Saturday, a total of 452 patients were admitted in hospitals while 116 were in ICU. 

With 368 new cases on Saturday, Muscat Governorate inched towards the 30,000 mark while Wilayat Seeb in the capital now has the most number of infections (10,356) in the country.  

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.