Jordan records highest number of critical COVID cases in region — monitor

AMMAN — As the pandemic continues to spread around the world, Jordan has recorded the highest number of critical cases in the region, according to Worldometer, a website that provides real-time statistics on population, government, economics and society. 

Until February 15, the number of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 has reached 1,234 in the Kingdom, followed by 979 serious cases admitted to hospitals in Saudi Arabia, and 293 critical cases in Morocco, said the website. 

On Tuesday, a total of 240 COVID-19 patients were admitted to hospitals in the Kingdom, while 224 recovered patients left hospitals, according to a joint statement issued by the Prime Ministry and the Ministry of Health.

Jordanian Ali Yusuf tested positive on February 9 and has only received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“When I entered hospital after feeling really sick and tired, I noticed that there are a large proportion of young individuals who are hospitalised with COVID-19,” he told The Jordan Times.

“Thousands of cases are being reported every day. Everyone is sneezing and coughing or maybe tired,” he added.

Mahmoud Bilal, a Jordanian physician, told The Jordan Times over the phone on Wednesday that “most patients entering hospitals were either unvaccinated or had received only the first dose”. 

Bilal added that people who are fully vaccinated or have received the booster dose are protected against severe COVID infection and hospitalisation.

“The surging figures are largely driven by the Omicron variant,” he added.