The Ministry of Health on Monday (MoH) confirmed 1,557 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the total to 47,735. 

This is the second highest daily spike in numbers after 1,605 cases were registered on June 22. 
Among the newly diagnosed cases, 1,057 were Omanis and 500 were expatriates. The ministry conducted 3,852 tests on suspected cases in the last 24 hours, of which 1,557 turned positive. 

‘The number of new recoveries is 1,229, taking the total to 29,146, while the number of deaths has reached 218,’ an MoH statement said. As of Monday, a total of 465 patients were admitted in hospitals while 129 were in ICU. 

The pandemic is rapidly spreading outside Muscat with North Batinah recording the maximum (317) cases on Monday, followed by South Batinah (277), Dhofar (161), Al Wusta (100), and Dakhliyah (95), among others. In Muscat city, Seeb and Bausher continue to be the hotspot for new infections. 

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.