MUSCAT: Oman has the lowest coronavirus cases reported in the entire GCC, according to the data releases by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Oman has so far confirmed 167 coronavirus cases of which 23 have recovered and no deaths. However, the figures across the other GCC countries are much higher compared to the Sultanate. According to WHO data, there are 3,124 total cases reported in GCC.

Saudi Arabia has the highest number of coronavirus cases in the GCC. 1203 people have tested positive for the virus and 4 deaths. With 590 cases Qatar comes second with one death. Bahrain comes third with 476 cases and UAE is on fourth with 468 cases. Kuwait has so far reported 235 cases.

Tough measures
“Oman has acted swiftly and aggressively to contain the virus. The country took some tough measures and even set up a high level committee to deal with Covid-19 and that has certainly helped to reduce the number to a certain extend,” said Dr. Jacob Varghese, a health expert based in India.

As part of preventing the spread of the virus, all international and domestic flights to and from the Sultanate’s airports will be suspended from 12 pm on Sunday, March 29, except services to Musandam Governorate and cargo flights. “Majority of the cases has been linked to travel to coronavirus affected countries and by closing the airports and stopping flights, Oman will be able to control the numbers (cases) further,” Varghese added.