A total of 1,359,065 individuals, representing 38 per cent of the targeted 3.7mn, have been vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the latest statistics released by the Ministry of Health (MoH). 

Of the total vaccinated, 80 per cent have received one and 20 per cent got two doses of approved vaccines.

The MoH issued a statement on Monday about changing working hours at vaccination centres in Muscat. 

‘The Directorate General of Health Services in the Governorate of Muscat announces an amendment in the timing of vaccination centres in line with the decisions of the Supreme Committee to deal with COVID-19.’

The Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat and Al Sahel Health Centre in the wilayat of Quriyat will be open from Sunday to Thursday from 8am to 2.30pm. 

The MoH called on all individuals in the target group to book vaccine appointments in advance through the Tarassud+ mobile app or covid19.moh.gov.om before heading to the approved government centres for immunisation in order to ensure a safe national vaccination drive.

According to Ibrahim al Maimani, social activist and data analyst, the number of patients admitted in hospitals significantly decreased to 119 in the last 24 hours. The drop in this number will take pressure off hospitals and intensive care units. Additionally, there is an increase in recoveries which is more than the number of new cases recorded.

Maimani said the pace of the vaccination drive has however dropped a little in the last few days. “On July 7, the total number of people immunised was 1,266,293, compared to 1,359,065 on July 11. In four days, 92,772 people were immunised.”

COVID-19 cases, deaths drop

The Ministry of Health (MoH) on Monday reported 1,167 new cases and 12 deaths. With this, the total number of cases registered in the sultanate has now reached 286,072, including 3,435 deaths.

The number of hospitalisations is also seen decreasing with 119 patients admitted to hospitals across the country in a 24-hour period on Monday, accounting for a total of 1,341 inpatients, including 477 under intensive care. 

The number of active cases is decreasing as recoveries increase. ‘The total number of recoveries is now 259,550 after 1,861 COVID-19 patients recovered on Monday, reflecting a recovery rate of 90.7 per cent,’ an MoH statement said.