MUSCAT: The number of COVID-19 patients admitted in intensive care units (ICU) have alarmingly increased over the last few days.

According to the data issued by Ministry of Health, there are now 59 patients in ICU, while the total number of hospitalised cases has touched 171 in the country.

Meanwhile, there are now 11 COVID-19 cases in Royal Hospital. “The number of cases of Covid 19 is on an alarming increase. If we compare figures from two weeks ago, the number of cases in the ICU at the Royal Hospital was 3, while today it reached 11 cases. Other cases in the middle wards have increased from 5 to 12 cases. These numbers indicate that the cases are on the increase, and attention should be paid. This is an early warning message to take appropriate action,” said Dr. Zakaria Bin Yahya Al Balushi, consultant of infections and infectious diseases at the Royal Hospital.