MUSCAT: It is true that older people are more likely to succumb to coronavirus disease (Covid-19). However, young people are also equally at risk of being affected. Last week, a 37-year-old expat resident has become the youngest person to die in Oman after contracting coronavirus.

“There is a widespread belief among the public that the death cases caused by the coronavirus are linked to elderly people. But virus affects all ages without exception. We have seen death cases from different age groups,” said His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Al Saidi, Minister of Health.

According to the Minister, social distancing is the only way to prevent the virus. “Social distancing is the only solution now. We have to be careful even if we think we are healthy,” he added.

Children are also not immune to the virus as reports indicated that a number of children have been infected in various proportions.

“The children, including infants, in the Sultanate have infected with COVID-19,” said Dr. Jumana bint Ahmed Al-Abdawani, Head of Child Health in the Directorate General of Primary Healthcare of the Ministry of Health.

However, the numbers among infants are lesser compared to adults, she said.

Dr. Jumana also stressed on the necessity of taking the baby’s vaccinations on time and should not be postponed, as these vaccinations protect the child from several diseases. “Ministry of Health has isolated all the vaccination places at its health centres, limiting the time of visit, as well as the nurse responsible for providing vaccine will register the child instead of the medical records staff. So I request everyone to get their kids vaccinated without delaying it,” she added.