MUSCAT: As Wilayat Muttrah has been under total lockdown following an increase in coronavirus cases, the government is planning to open designated health centres including mobile centres for expatriate workers to expedite diagnosis and aid treatment.

Speaking in an interview with Oman TV, Dr. Mohammed bin Saif Al Hosni, Undersecretary of Ministry of Health said that efforts are underway to receive all residents in designated health centres for testing. “As you know, Wilayat Muttrah is home to the largest expat population. We are looking at opening a health centre for expat workers and also open a mobile medical bus. The efforts are going on for that,” Al Hosni said. 

According to highly placed sources at Ministry of Health, The Arabian Stories has learnt that Communicable Disease Control Centre in Darsait and several other health centres across the Wilayat Muttrah will be used as testing centres. “We are also in talks with Mwasalat to help commute the expats to these centres for testing,” official from MOH said.

Earlier on Thursday, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Al Saidi, had confirmed that Wilayat Muttrah is the epicentre of the virus. “Putting Muttrah under quarantine is because of the prevalence of community transmission. Community transmission means the virus is already being spread although there is no contact with infected people or travel was done,” he said. 

Oman on Friday confirmed 252 cases of coronavirus in the country.