Nearly 200,000 people vaccinated in Oman

Muscat: Nearly 200,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines have been given to people across the country, according to figures released by the Ministry of Health.

198,563 people have so far been administered the vaccine. These include 37,185 healthcare workers. Muscat governorate accounts for about 30 per cent of people injected, at 58,643 vaccinations.

The lowest vaccination rate has taken place in Al Wusta, where 1,295 people have been provided vaccines. The northern Musandam region has reported 13,987 inoculations.

Nearly 50,000 people in the Batinah regions (28,242 in the north, and 18,768 in the south) have also been vaccinated.

In the Sharqiyah governorates, vaccines have been administered to more than 22,000 people (10,126 in the north and 12,556 in the south).

In the southern Dhofar region, some 12,994 have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

In Al Dhahirah, vaccines have been distributed to 12,951 people, and in Al Dakhiliyah, vaccine jabs stand at 23,179. In Al Buraimi, inoculations were provided to 5,822 people.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, an official from the Ministry of Health encouraged people in the country to ask their elderly relatives to take the vaccine, so that they are protected from the virus, and can contribute to stop its spread.

“There is more demand for the vaccine now than in the past among people, especially among the elderly,” he explained.

“This is because there were a lot of rumours being circulated about the vaccines provided, particularly during the early stages of the national immunisation campaign. Intense awareness programmes, whether from the Ministry of Health, or other authorities, as well as media organisations, have helped change their attitude towards vaccination.”

“We call on family members of the elderly and other target groups, to take COVID-19 vaccines. Please do not listen to misinformation and pay attention to what some might say on social media. Do take information only from the Ministry of Health, other official sources in the country, and other reputed international health organisations,” he added.

A new helpline has also been launched in the capital to help people receive information on the services provided, and vaccines available, at the various inoculation centres in Muscat. Those interested can call the helpline on 1144.

“The Directorate General of Health Services in Muscat is pleased to announce the activation of the information service for vaccine centres in the governorate,” said a statement from the Ministry of Health. The centre is operational between 9 am and 2 pm on weekdays, during Ramadan.

The total number of coronavirus cases in the Sultanate now stands at 181,430, of which 161,670 have recovered, resulting in a recovery rate of 89 per cent. 1,890 people have unfortunately lost their lives to the disease.

818 patients have been admitted to hospital, 107 of them were admitted in the last 24 hours, as of April 19, 2021. 265 patients have been admitted to intensive care units.