50 COVID deaths, 3,160 infections recorded Saturday

AMMAN — Fifty  COVID-19 deaths and 3,160 infections were recorded in the Kingdom on Saturday, increasing the caseload to 237,513, the government announced.

The reported fatalities took the Kingdom’s coronavirus death toll to 3,010, according to a joint statement issued by the Prime Ministry and the Ministry of Health.

The local cases comprised 1,014 infections in Amman, 240 in Zarqa, 659 in Irbid, including 25 in Ramtha District, 13 in Maan, including one in Petra, 86 in Aqaba, 201 in Ajloun, 40 in Madaba, 127 in Balqa, 196 in Karak, 352 in Mafraq, 92 in Tafileh and 140 in Jerash.

A total of 154 COVID-19 patients were admitted to hospitals on Saturday, increasing the number of cases receiving treatment in hospitals to 1,682, of which 406 patients were in ICUs, the statement said, adding that 87 recovered patients left hospitals.

The statement also said that  5,268  people left hospitals and recovered in home quarantine on Saturday, bringing the total number of recoveries to 182,463.

A total of 18,624 virus tests were also conducted on Saturday, bringing the cumulative number of coronavirus tests administered to 2,667,541, with the share of tests returning a positive result, known as positive rate, standing at 16.97 per cent, the statement added.

Amid the growing number of local infections, the Ministry of Health has renewed its call on the public to abide by defence orders, as well as to adhere to precautionary measures, mainly wearing face masks and avoiding holding gatherings that exceed 20 people.

The ministry also called on the public to follow its “I Protect Them” awareness campaign, which aims to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through increasing public commitment to preventive measures to protect individuals, their families and society members.