60 COVID deaths, 7,933 infections recorded in Jordan on Wednesday

AMMAN — The Kingdom on Wednesday recorded 7,933 new COVID-19 cases, including 1,623 infections in a factory in Aqaba over the past two days, which have been dealt with according to the accredited protocol, said Health Minister Nathir Obeidat.

In a press briefing held at the Prime Ministry, Obeidat added that the occupancy rates at hospitals are “acceptable”, stressing that the big number of infections on Wednesday is attributed to the Aqaba factory cases, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Meanwhile, 60 COVID-19 deaths were recorded on Wednesday, taking the Kingdom’s coronavirus death toll to 1,969, according to a joint statement issued by the Prime Ministry and the Ministry of Health.

The cases comprised 2,412 infections in Amman, 998 in Irbid, including 230 in Ramtha District, 47 in Ajloun, 127 in Mafraq, 379 in Balqa, 522 in Zarqa, 1,893 in Aqaba, 291 in Madaba, 144 in Maan, including 70 in Petra District, 65 in Tafileh, 347 in Karak and 708 in Jerash.

A total of 248 COVID-19 patients were admitted to hospitals on Wednesday, taking the number of patients currently receiving care for COVID-19 in hospitals to 2,134, of which 473 patients were in ICUs.

The statement added that 4,629 people left hospitals and recovered in home quarantine, bringing the total number of recoveries to 94,896.

A total of 30,792 virus tests were also conducted on Wednesday, bringing the cumulative number of coronavirus tests administered to 2,268,734, with the share of tests returning a positive result, known as positive rate, standing at 25.8 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 highlighted the “Aman” (Safety) application for smartphones, which alerts users if they come into contact with a COVID-19 positive person, as well as “Sahtak” (your health) application, which provides users with the latest information and news related to COVID-19, in addition to guidelines and warnings pertaining to the Kingdom’s epidemiological situation.

The ministry also called on the public to follow its “I protect them” awareness campaign, which encourages people to protect their families and communities.