MUSCAT: Supreme Committee members are holding a press conference to update the details of coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Speakers at the conference:
His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammad Al Saidi, Minister of Health, Member of the Supreme Committee.
His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammad Al Sarmi , Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education.
Brigadier Saeed bin Sulaiman Al Asmi, Director General Operations at the Royal Oman Police.
His Excellency Dr. Saif bin Salem Al Abri, Director General of Disease Control and Control, Ministry of Health.

Excerpts from the press conference:

Minister of Health: We are aware of the economic consequences of coronavirus but the decisions must be balanced.

Minister of Health: One person infected 17 members of his family including a one year old child.

Minister of Health: In one of the governorates, a wedding ceremony was held, attended by 150 people, and unfortunately no one reported them.

Minister of Health: The number of hospitalised is 96, and in intensive care 31, and the total number of examinations done so far is 61,000.

Minister of Health: The expatriate worker who has a sponsor will bear the cost of the treatment. The government will pay for those who does not have a sponsor.

Dr. Saif Al Abri: There is a shortage for plasma donors in Oman.

Minister of Health: Follow precautionary measures so that we can avoid stringent regulations.

Minister of Health: During an epidemiological investigation of a company, we found 70 people in one house. And that is worrisome.

Minister of Health: More than OMR 26 million worth of the voluntary fund received since launch.

Abdullah Al Sarmi: We are suspending the scholarship for Omani students till January 2021. The students have the choice to complete the study inside the Sultanate must do it here instead of going back to their university abroad / ministry of higher education.

Minister of Health: Number of cases increased due to Ramadan gatherings

Minister of Health: Health Instructions and principles must be followed to reduce the number of cases when reopening commercial activities.

Minister of Health: ‎I would like to express my gratitude to our cadres working in the healthcare system and those affiliated to other sectors, especially the Royal Oman Police and the Sultan Armed Forces.

Dr. Saif Al Abri: We have the facilities to examine 1,500-2,000 samples per day and we have even touched 2,000 samples the other day. We have requested for advanced devices to perform quick examinations, and these devices will arrive in the coming weeks.

Minister of Health: Cases in Muttrah Souq area has reduced. If the cases continue to drop them we may lift the lockdown before May 29.

Minister of Health: Most cases are now reported in Wadi Kabir and Hamriya.

Minister of Health: Eid will not be the same this year, as gatherings are still prohibited. I request all of you to respect social gathering measures.