Nine cases of COVID-19 confirmed on Monday bring total to 268; new death increases toll to 5

AMMAN — Nine new coronavirus cases have been recorded in Jordan, bringing the Kingdom’s total up to 268 cases, 26 of them recovered, Health Minister Saad Jaber said on Monday.

Speaking during a joint press briefing with Minister of State for Media Affairs Amjad Adaileh at the National Centre for Security and Crisis Management on Monday evening, Jaber said that the cases include one person who was in one of the quarantine hotels, five who were in contact with a patient who had died in the Royal Medical Services (RMS), two people from Irbid and one person whose name was received from RMS.

The minister announced that since Sunday, three people have died, bringing the total number of deaths from COVID-19 to five. Jaber also expressed condolences to their families.

According to the minister, eight cases have recovered and were discharged from Prince Hamzah Hospital, including four French nationals, one Argentinian national, one Iraqi national and two Jordanians.

Commenting on the evacuation of people in quarantine at Dead Sea and Amman hotels, he said that “the return of those in quarantine to their homes brought us joy, as it went smoothly and in a civil manner”.

“They pledged to commit to home quarantine and were provided with the ministry’s numbers in case of symptoms, which is an international health procedure that aims to protect everyone, especially their families,” he said.

“Every minute we remain at home brings us miles closer to victory against the pandemic,” he stressed, urging citizens to practise social distancing while shopping.

Jaber concluded by saying: “Today, Jordan resists, and we shall win.”

Also during the press briefing, Adaileh noted that His Majesty King Abdullah is “always interested in the smallest details of the coronavirus crisis and is managing it with wisdom while working day and night for the Jordanian people”.

Adaileh said that King Abdullah, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, on Monday conducted a long follow-up programme on procedures carried out by the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and security entities.

His Majesty also followed up on the government’s procedures to secure the Kingdom’s strategic stock, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, cited the minister as saying.

Government teams, with the follow-up of Prime Minister Omar Razzaz, continue to review all citizens’ remarks and inquiries, especially those regarding access to banks or facilitating procedures for the disbursal of private sector salaries. 

“We are receiving inquiries about facilitating access to banks for the elderly, persons with disabilities and citizens who live far away from bank branches,” he said.

“We will find quick solutions and mechanisms for that purpose, to be announced as soon as they are agreed upon,” Adaileh added.

The minister added that on Monday, the public’s adherence to the curfew regulations was “good”, noting that few violations occurred.