The COVID-19 pandemic is worsening in the sultanate with 11 deaths reported in 24 hours on Wednesday, taking the total death count to 1,644. 

Infection rates are also rising, as reported by the Ministry of Health (MoH); 741 new cases were registered on Wednesday, taking the total number to 153,105. Sixty-eight patients were hospitalised in the last 24 hours, accounting for a total of 373 inpatients, including 116 in intensive care units. The total number of cases that have recovered now stands at 140,220, which is 92 per cent of all the infected cases.

MoH, in the meanwhile, continues its nationwide immunisation campaign, with 110,179 individuals having received the vaccine. 

The Ministry of Education announced on Tuesday that students of Qantab School will attend classes remotely. ‘Owing to the high number of COVID-19 cases in the sultanate, for the health and safety of students the Supervisory Committee of the Directorate General of Education in Muscat and the Directorate General of Health Services in Muscat decided to change the mode of learning for students of Qantab School in the wilayat of Muscat from blended education to online lessons starting March 28 until further notice,’ the MoH said in a statement.

Additionally, the Ministry of Labour will temporarily suspend receiving customers at its Seeb office. ‘The ministry would like to inform customers that services at the Seeb Labour Department is suspended from March 25 to April 8 as a measure to slow the spread of COVID-19. Customers can use online services offered on the ministry website (www.mol.gov.om) or call 24280631/24280630,’ a statement said.