MUSCAT : The Supreme Committee members are attending a press conference on Thursday.

Following are the speakers at the press conference:

1. H.E Dr.Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Saeedi
2. Brigadier Said bin Suliman Al Asmi
3. Dr.Saif bin Salim Al Abri
4. Dr.Anas bin Nasser Al-Kamyani
   
   Following are the highlights from the press conference:
   
   Minister of Health: 220 patients have been admitted in ICU in 12 days.
   Minister of Health: In the last 6 months, medical staff at one of the Governorates in the Sultanate did not take a single holiday.
   Minister of Health: We are anxious because we have reached a record number of patients in intensive care
   Minister of Health: The low rate of recovery in the Sultanate is not due to the disease being more severe or fatal, but rather as a result of non-compliance with the precautionary measures.
   Minister of Health: There are no plans to lift the ban on gatherings.
   Minister of Health: Attending the funeral led to other deaths, so far we have monitored three deaths of people who contracted the virus as a result of attending the funeral.
   Dr. Anas Al Kamyani: The virus is not a joke, I stayed for 5 weeks in the hospital, I was under full anesthesia, which causes inability to move in addition to shortness of breath, and I am still suffering from complications from COVID-19 infection.
   Minister of Health: Whoever does not abide by the precautionary measures “will only blame himself.
   Dr. Anas Al Kamyani: ‎When we talk about the Coronavirus, I stress that no matter how keen we are in avoiding this virus, it is strange that it will spread, that we may catch it even in those moments when we may be very careful and cautious.
   Minister of Health: 3,914 medical staff are infected with COVID-19 in Oman, most of them are due to Community infection.
   Brigadier Al Asmi: Expat workers whose work visa have expired are not allowed to return.
   Dr. Anas Al Kamyani: This disease is new, and the world and health sector workers did not have prior treatment with it and it contradicts most expectations, so we have no choice but to confront it with prevention and caution.
   Brigadier Al Asmi: We thank citizens and residents for their cooperation and commitment to the procedures. Some violations of the movement ban and not wearing masks have been recorded. We call on the violators to expedite the payment. Otherwise, the violators will be referred to the public prosecution.
   Major Muhammad bin Salam Al Hashimi: There is a special system for violations and the sums are transferred to a fund designated for dealing with a pandemic
   Minister of Health: Regarding reopening schools, the relevant committee is still studying options and the final decision will be announced in due course.
   Minister of Health: 83 per cent of COVID-19 deaths are recorded among ICU patients.
   Dr. Saif Al Abri: A special mechanism will be announced to exempt people with chronic diseases from going to their workplace.
   Minister of Health: In the Sultanate, the infection rate among males is more than that of females, and there is no scientific explanation for this, but perhaps because males are more mixed in society, and this leads to the transmission of the disease to their families.
   Minister of Health: I hope that we will not be forced to take decisions that harm people’s livelihood and trade because of the lack of commitment of some, and the activities that will be closed will be announced by the concerned authorities soon.
   The Minister of Health: The evening period witnesses large gatherings, so the Supreme Committee decided to prevent movement at night
   Brigadier Al Asmi: Announcing the names and photos of the violators will take place after the end of the legal procedures.
   Minister of Health: According to the experiences of one of the countries, publishing the names and pictures of the violators have contributed to the reduction of violations and raise people’s commitment to the procedures more than the fines.
   Minister of Health: The lack of medical staff is not related to the financial problem, but rather the international competition for medical competencies, especially those trained to deal with critical care.
   Dr. Saif Al Abri: We have registered patients who have been infected with COVID-19 again.
   Dr. Saif Al Abri: The priority now is how to obtain a quantity of the vaccine at the end of this year.
   Minister of Health: We will not tolerate anyone violating the decisions.
   Minister of Health: Another lockdown will have a huge impact on our economy. However, the directives from His Majesty is to protect everyone regardless of our sacrifices.