The Ministry of Health (MoH) on Wednesday confirmed 1,679 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the total to 61,247. Eight deaths were also reported the same day. 

Among the newly diagnosed cases, 1,313 were Omanis and 281 were expatriates. The ministry conducted 4,613 tests on suspected cases in the last 24 hours. 

‘The number of new recoveries is 1,051 taking the total to 39,038 while the number of deaths has reached 281,’ an MoH statement said. As of Wednesday, a total of 530 patients were admitted in hospitals while 139 patients are currently in ICU. 

Muscat accounts for the lion’s share (56.5%) of total infections in Oman, while South and North Batinah, along with Dakhliyah, together account for 30% of the total COVID-19 cases in the country. Also, Seeb alone constitutes 20.7% of all cases.  

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.