MUSCAT: The rise in coronavirus cases in the last few weeks has left epidemiologists and healthcare officials uneasy.

According to Dr. Mohammed bin Saif Al Hosni, Undersecretary of Ministry of Health, the Sultanate has seen a record rise in Covid-19 cases in three weeks. “The number of new cases doubled in three weeks from 25,000 to 47,000, while 104 people lost lives during this period, of which more than half of them were Omanis,” he said in an interview with Oman TV.

Al Hosni lambasted the “careless behaviour” of some people in ignoring health measures that led to the rise in coronavirus cases in the country. “It was found that there was a lack of commitment and carelessness by some people. We have observed people holding family gatherings, birthdays, gathering in cars (more than one person). There were also cases of affected people mixing others and non-commitment from some institutions not to check temperatures of the staff. This is just unacceptable,” he said.

“The epidemiological curve escalated in all governorates of the Sultanate, especially among Omanis. If this needs to stop, we need to work together,” he added.

On an average, the country is recording more than 1,000 cases daily. “This will continue if you do not act. Numbers are increasing daily and it’s a concern and we need to be worrier. We are doing our best to reduce the numbers but people have to take care too,” he added.

The total coronavirus infections in the country has reached 47,735.