With hospitals in Oman seeing an unprecedented number of COVID-19 patients, the death count is also rising. The Ministry of Health (MoH) on Thursday reported 19 COVID-19 related deaths, the highest daily count since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country.

On Thursday, MoH reported 1,640 new cases, taking the total number of registered cases in the sultanate to 230,219, including 2,467 deaths and 207,795 recoveries accounting for a recovery rate of 90.3 per cent.

According to an MoH statement, 164 individuals were admitted to hospitals in a 24-hour period on Thursday, accounting for a total of 1,040 inpatients, including 345 in intensive care units.

MoH, in cooperation with Aster al Raffah Hospital, will start a drive-through vaccination programme on Sunday for target groups that are eligible for the second dose, besides staff of state administrative units, at Oman Automobile Association, Seeb. Doses will be given Sunday to Thursday, 9am to 4pm.