MUSCAT: With coronavirus cases increasing in the GCC region, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has called-on countries to strengthen its surveillance.

Speaking to Oman TV in an interview, Dr. Ahmed Al Mandhari, Regional Director of WhO said the region has reached a worrying stage. “With the number of people infected with COVID-19 disease exceeding 19 million cases, the region has indeed reached a worrying stage,” he said.

“The Eastern Mediterranean Region is now at a critical stage, and lifting restrictions on travel ban does not mean that we retreat from the response or give up our social responsibilities. Health systems are overburdened, health care workers are exhausted, and many people are still at risk,” he said.

“Most countries in the region have started to open their borders but the virus remain aggressive. The governments should strengthen their surveillance to prevent the spread of the virus,” Al Mandhari added.