Coronavirus in Iran, Gulf states and Middle East

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Six more penalised for flouting COVID-19 safety rules in Oman

Muscat: Primary courts in the governorates of Muscat, Al Dakhiliyah and South Al Sharqiyah issued verdicts— from 9 December to 17 December—convicting offenders who violated the decisions of the Supreme Committee tasked with tackling developments resulting from coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The legal procedure began when the Public Prosecution Department interrogated six people who reportedly went out during the period of ban on nighttime movement or failed to wear face masks.

The courts awarded the convicts sentences of three-month imprisonment and imposed fines of OMR1,000 on each, while at the same time ordering the foreign ones deported.

Source: https://timesofoman.com/article/six-more-penalised-for-flouting-covid-19-safety-rules-in-oman.

 

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Iran extends coronavirus restrictions ahead of Yalda festival

Shop closures and traffic restrictions in Iran will begin earlier on Saturday in an effort to avert a resurgence of coronavirus infections and deaths as Iranians prepare for the Yalda Night winter festival, authorities reported.

“Let’s not gather, so we don’t become fewer,” President Hassan Rouhani said in televised remarks on Saturday, urging Iranians not to hold extended family gatherings on Yalda Night, or Shab-e Yalda.

This year, the ancient winter solstice celebration falls on Sunday night. Families traditionally celebrate until the early hours of the morning, reciting poems, singing and eating nuts, dried fruits, watermelon, pomegranates and persimmon.

Shops were ordered to close two hours earlier, from 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi announced on state television. A traffic curfew was brought forward an hour to 8 p.m. until 4 a.m.

The Health Ministry said on Saturday that 175 people had died over the past 24 hours, the lowest daily death toll since Sept. 19. It said to date a total of 53,448 people had died from the coronavirus and 1,152,072 had been infected in Iran, the Middle East’s worst hit country.

Raisi said there had been a decline of 50% in daily deaths from coronavirus since stricter restrictions were imposed on Nov. 21 to curb the spread of the virus.

He said the spread of the virus had slowed in 30 of Iran’s 31 provinces, but holding Yalda gatherings could reverse those efforts.

When the Yalda feast is over, traffic restrictions will go back to 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. in the lower risk “orange” cities, including the capital Tehran, Raisi said.

The Yalda Night festival is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Armenia.

Pomegranates are eaten to symbolize the cycle of life, watermelon represents health while dried fruits and nuts, or ajeel, symbolize prosperity and wealth.

Source: https://nationalpost.com/pmn/health...onavirus-restrictions-ahead-of-yalda-festival.

 

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Daily coronavirus report in Palestine: 25 deaths, 1750 new cases, and 2019 recoveries

RAMALLAH, Saturday, December 19, 2020 (WAFA) – Twenty-five people have died in Palestine in the last 24 hours after contracting the coronavirus disease, 1750 new cases were recorded, and 2019 patients have recovered, today said Minister of Health Mai Alkaila in her daily report on coronavirus in Palestine.

Five of the deaths were in East Jerusalem, the highest single day figure in months, nine in the West Bank, and 11 in the Gaza Strip, also the highest single day fatalities since the outbreak of the disease in Palestine in March.

The West Bank recorded 728 new cases, a drop in daily cases in a while, with Nablus recording 118 cases, Tulkarm 67, Hebron 94, Bethlehem 87, Jenin 90, while Ramallah scoring the highest figure with 154 new cases. The West Bank also had 1325 recoveries.

East Jerusalem recorded 146 new cases and 114 recoveries, while the Gaza Strip had 876 new cases and 580 recoveries.

Alkaila said 128 corona patients are currently getting treatment in intensive care, among them 35 who are on ventilators.

Source: https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/122511.

 

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COVID-19 kills 5 in Oman, sickens 143 in Qatar
Virus case tally rises to 127,667 in Oman, 142,001 in Qatar

ISTANBUL

The coronavirus pandemic claimed five more lives in Oman and sickened 143 in Qatar on Sunday.


The Omani Health Ministry said 684 people were infected with COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide tally to 127,667 cases, including 1,488 deaths.


The ministry said 565 patients recovered from the virus, pushing the total recoveries to 119,574.


In Qatar, the Health Ministry said the total infections rose to 142,001 confirmed cases after 143 people contracted the virus.


The country’s death toll stood at 243 deaths.


The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed over 1.68 million lives in 191 countries and regions since last December.

Nearly 76.31 million cases have been reported worldwide, with more than 42.51 million recoveries, according to figures compiled by the US-based Johns Hopkins University.


*Ahmed Asmar in Ankara contributed to this report

Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/health/covid-19-kills-5-in-oman-sickens-143-in-qatar/2083153.

 

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Coronavirus: UAE reports 1,171 Covid-19 cases, 866 recoveries, 3 deaths

The country has crossed 19 million tests so far.
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Sunday reported 1,171 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 866 recoveries and 3 deaths.

As many as 128,562 new Covid-19 tests were carried out, taking the total number of tests carried out in the country to 19 million plus so far.

Total number of cases in UAE stand at 193,575 while total recoveries are 168,995. Death toll stands at 637 as on December 20.

Active cases in UAE stand at 23,943.

On December 9, the UAE approved the Chinese firm Sinopharm’s Covid-19 vaccine that has 86 per cent efficacy. Abu Dhabi Ports has been a core member in the vaccine distribution mission with its advanced logistics capacity and capabilities.

With a 19,000-square metre temperature-controlled warehouse facility on 40,000-square metre plot in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad), it has the capacity to store and distribute 70 million vaccines. The newly-launched Hope Consortium has bolstered its distribution reach following a strategic agreement with leading international freight forwarders. The latest consortium partners, which include Agility, Aramex, Hellmann and Kuehne + Nagel, will help address the different steps of the logistical challenge, including ‘last mile’, with a capacity of billions of Covid-19 vaccine doses by the end of 2021.

Companies in the UAE are encouraging their employee to take the Covid-19 vaccine as it will bring confidence into consumers.

In order to facilitate their employees, companies are not just letting their employees to go and get jab during workhours but some of them are arranging transportation as well to get Covid-19 vaccination.

“Yes, we are encouraging employees to take the vaccine and quite a few of them have started taking it, including the senior management. We are in talks with the government officials to get permission to set up a facility in Jafza as we have a large number of employees. Simultaneously, we are also arranging for transportation facilities for those employees who don’t have their own a vehicle,” said Rizwan Sajan, chairman and founder of Danube Group.

Sajan said taking the vaccine will not only protect our employees but also instil confidence among our customers as well.

Paras Shahdadpuri, chairman of Nikai Group, said they have already taken initiatives to take Covid-19 vaccination and their staff is quite excited to take this jab.

Meanwhile, the arrival of Covid-19 vaccine in the UAE just before the start of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is a big boost for shopper’s confidence. Dubai’s month-long shopping extravaganza, that began on December 17, is one of the biggest in the emirate’s annual event’s calendar. Complete with raffle draws, family entertainment, live concerts and retail promotions, the 26th edition of the festival will be on till January 30, 2021. Organisers have said that strict Covid safety measures will be in place at participating malls and shopping destinations.

Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/corona...s-1171-covid-19-cases-866-recoveries-3-deaths.

 

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Jordan records 23 deaths and 2,152 new coronavirus cases

Jordan has recorded 23 deaths and 2,152 new COVID-19 cases Sunday, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the crisis to 274,949.

The death toll has risen to 3,568.

The cases are:

-762 in Amman

-614 in Irbid, including 62 in Ramtha

-144 in Balqa

-125 in Zarqa

-82 in Ajloun

-75 in Mafraq

-74 in Jerash

-73 in Aqaba

-58 in Karak

-54 in Tafilah

-48 in Madaba

-43 in Ma'an, including three in Petra

A total of 102 cases have been admitted to the hospitals, and 129 have been discharged upon recovery.

There are a total of 28,257 active COVID-19 cases.

Source: https://en.royanews.tv/news/24292/Jordan records 23 deaths and 2,152 new coronavirus cases.

 

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ICRC praises Iran’s effort against coronavirus

TEHRAN – Daniel Munoz-Rojas, the deputy representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Tehran, said he was impressed by the domestic manufacturing of oxygen concentrators for COVID-19 patients in Iran.

“This capacity does not exist in other countries in the region. Given that we are still in crisis, Iran should use this capacity to meet its domestic needs, but perhaps in the future it can help countries like Syria and Yemen,” he highlighted.

He made the remarks on Sunday at a ceremony for providing 400 portable oxygen concentrators manufactured with the financial assistance of the ICRC.

ICRC allocated a total of 60 billion rials (around $1.4 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) to help produce this equipment.

“This is the second phase of the ICRC assistance to the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), Rojas said, expressing pleasure that the third phase of financial aid and other personal protection equipment is also on the way.

Earlier in November, the International Committee of the Red Cross has provided 250,000 Swiss francs to the IRCS for buying oxygen concentrators for patients with COVID-19.

In April, the International Committee of the Red Cross donated 500,000 Swiss francs to the Iranian Red Crescent Society to provide personal protective equipment for special patients as well as food items for the vulnerable.

“The ICRC is a valuable partner of the Red Crescent Society of Iran and we have a strong and broad partnership in various fields,” said Mansoureh Bagheri, IRCS deputy for international affairs and humanitarian law, expressing appreciation for their support in the fight against COVD-19.

In response to the outbreak, the two organizations expanded their collaborations in the distribution of personal protective equipment, hand sanitizers, and educational brochures on COVID-19 disease for migrants on the border provinces of the country.

Earlier in May, Barbara Rizzoli, head of the ICRC delegation in Tehran, said the actions taken by the Iranian Red Crescent Society to battle the COVID-19 outbreak were very significant in various fields, including prevention and treatment.

Iran’s achievements in fight against COVID-19

With the outbreak of coronavirus, Iran surged its production to meet the country’s need for self-protective equipment along with medical and pharmaceutical items to fight against the virus.

Iran is one of the top five manufacturers of coronavirus antigen-based rapid detection kits in the world; as homegrown antibody rapid test, which can detect coronavirus in 15 to 20 minutes, was unveiled in Tehran on November 17.

Sourena Sattari, vice president for science and technology, told the Tehran Times in September that some of the knowledge-based companies reached a production capacity of more than 200-300 thousand diagnostic kits per day, which surpassed the country’s need for diagnostic kits, and there is a great export potential.

Pointing out that multiplying the production of COVID-19 equipment led to significant measures that led to foreign currency saving for the country, he said “it also helped us cope with problems and not to run out of equipment because no matter how much money we gave, no country had the equipment to sell.”

He also announced that two types of diagnostic kits are now mass-produced by knowledge-based companies, first one is the RT-PCR tests, 8 million of which are being produced per month; while the other is serology-based tests that a total of 400,000 are being manufactured monthly and is expected to reach up to 2 million.

At present, 40 advanced ventilators are manufactured daily in the medical equipment sector, he explained.

Knowledge-based companies can produce any medicine effective in countering coronavirus or approved by the scientific committee within a week to 10 days, he noted.

Mehdi Kashmiri, director for technology and planning at the science ministry, said in July that about 450 knowledge-based companies were active in the country for manufacturing protective equipment and treatment products to fight the coronavirus.

Production of more than one million face masks per day, production of more than 1.5 liters of disinfectants per day, diagnostic kits, non-contact thermometers, protective clothing, ventilator are among the produces manufactured by these companies, he added.

Iranian-made innovative products in the field of diagnosis, screening, and fighting coronavirus were also unveiled to combat the disease, nnamely, ozone generator, nanotechnology face shields, disinfection gate, and molecular COVID-19 diagnostic kits.

Source: https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/455993/ICRC-praises-Iran-s-effort-against-coronavirus.

 

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Palestine registers 1427 new COVID-19 cases, 24 deaths

RAMALLAH, Sunday, December 20, 2020 (WAFA) – Minister of Health Mai Alkaila announced today that 1427 new cases of COVID-19, 24 deaths and 1518 recoveries were registered across Palestine during the last 24 hours.

In her daily report on the pandemic, Alkaila said 12 deaths were reported in the West Bank and 12 others in the Gaza Strip.

On the geographic distribution of the new infections, the health minister said 151 cases were registered in Nablus, 31 in Tubas, 33 in the West Bank side of the Jerusalem Governorate, 190 in Hebron, 77 in Tulkarm, 133 in Jenin, 65 in Bethlehem, 24 in Salfit, 135 in Ramallah, 15 in Qalqilia, and 13 in Jericho.

In the Gaza Strip, a total of 560 new infections were reported.

Alkaila pointed out that 133 COVID-19 patients are currently under intensified care, of whom 35 are on respirators.

She said a total of 81.1 percent of the overall COVID-19 patients have recovered so far, while active cases represented 18.1 percent of the overall infections. Death rate stood at 0.9 percent.

Source: https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/122526.

 

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Jordan suspends flights from UK over mutant coronavirus strain

AMMAN, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Monday decided to suspend all direct and indirect flights from the United Kingdom (UK) for two weeks over fears of the mutated coronavirus strain.

Jordan's Minister of State for Media Affairs Ali Al-Ayed said the flights would be suspended from Dec. 21 to Jan. 3, state-run Petra news agency reported.

The decision to suspend flights comes after reports of registering cases of mutated coronavirus strain in the UK, which requires additional precautionary measures.

The minister said the decision was taken following a recommendation by the Health Ministry. Jordan will follow up closely on the epidemiological situation in the UK and will make further decisions based on it, he added.

Source: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-12/21/c_139608036.htm.

 

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Coronavirus: UAE reports 1,077 Covid-19 cases, 845 recoveries, 2 deaths

More than 19.4 million Covid-19 tests have been carried out in the UAE so far.
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Monday reported 1,077 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 845 recoveries. Two deaths were also reported.

As many as new 94,911 Covid-19 tests were carried out, taking the total number of tests carried out in the country to nearly 19.4 million so far.

In a statement, the ministry stressed its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment. However, the ministry has urged the public to follow all preventive guidelines.

Countries around the world have begun banning flights and travellers from Britain as London said the spread of a more-infectious new coronavirus strain was “out of control”.

UAE airlines have suspended flights to Saudi Arabia "until further notice". This comes as Saudi Arabia suspended late on Sunday all international commercial flights for a renewable week, over to a new, more infectious Covid-19 strain.

Meanwhile, travel plans of British expatriates residing in the UAE are reconsidering their upcoming travel plans for the holiday season are also worried if they can return home in time to return for work if the lockdown extends to after December 30.

However, the UAE carriers Emirates and Etihad on Sunday said there is no change in their flight operations to the UK after new curbs were announced for London due to slow a new strain of coronavirus. The national carriers said they’re operating as per their schedule and there is no change in operations at the moment.

Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/corona...s-1077-covid-19-cases-845-recoveries-2-deaths.

 

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Palestine records 31 deaths and 1,514 new coronavirus cases

Palestine recorded 31 deaths and 1,514 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, announced the Palestinian Minister of Health Mai al-Kaila Monday.

The new deaths involved 17 in the West Bank (four in Nablus; three in Tulkarem; three in Jenin; three in Bethlehem; one in Hebron, and three in Ramallah), 11 in Gaza Strip and three in Jerusalem city.

The recovery rate in Palestine stands at 81.4 percent, while the active case rate is 17.7 percent and the death rate is 0.9 percent.

The new coronavirus cases include 157 in Nablus; 89 in Tulkarem; 61 in the suburbs of Jerusalem; 30 in Tubas; 44 in Salfit; 144 in Jenin; 96 in Bethlehem; 171 in Hebron; 191 in Ramallah and Al-Bireh; 23 in Qalqilya; 16 in Jericho and Al-Aghwar; 280 in Gaza Strip and 212 in Jerusalem city.

The recovery cases included 352 in Nablus; 108 in Tulkarem; 44 in Tubas; 42 in Salfit; 143 in Jenin; 40 in Bethlehem; 115 in Hebron; 231 in Ramallah and Al-Bireh; 42 in Qalqilya; 451 in Gaza Strip, and 280 in Jerusalem city.

Currently, 136 people are in the Intensive Care Unit and 37 are on ventilators.

Monday, 5,458 PCR tests were conducted.

Source: https://en.royanews.tv/news/24312/2020-12-21.

 

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Oman to close borders to prevent mutant strain of coronavirus

DUBAI: Oman will be closing its borders tomorrow at 1:00 a.m. for one week to prevent a new strain of the coronavirus from entering the country, state news agency ONA reported on Monday.

The COVID-19 supreme committee said that the decision to close the country’s land, air and sea borders was in response to the emergence of the new strain of the virus in other countries.

The new strain causes the same medical conditions as the original but is 70 percent more infectious. It has been identified in the UK, several other European countries, Australia and South Africa, and the British health minister said on Sunday that it was “out of control.”

The new threat emerged just as the introduction of several vaccines developed in the US, Britain and China raised hopes throughout the world that the COVID-19 pandemic could be defeated. Scientists in the UK are now studying the mutant strain to establish whether it is resistant to vaccines, but it will be at least two weeks before they have a definitive result.

Oman’s coronavirus committee said cargos via airplanes, ships and trucks will be excluded from the border lockdown. The committee will also continue to monitor the epidemiological situation of the new strain and take “appropriate decisions accordingly.”

Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/1780536/middle-east.

 

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Coronavirus claims 191 more lives in Iran

Daily numbers of coronavirus cases, deaths show downward trend in recent days after restrictive measures implemented

TEHRAN, Iran

Iran confirmed 191 more coronavirus-related fatalities on Monday, raising the nationwide death toll to 53,816, according to the country's Health Ministry.

Some 6,151 more people tested positive for the virus over the past 24 hours, pushing the tally over 1.16 million, ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said.

She said that a total of 894,366 patients have recovered so far, while 5,519 remain in critical condition.

Daily numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths, which were on a sharp increase in November, showed a downward trend in recent days after the authorities took some measures to tighten restrictions.

Single-day cases in the country reached almost 15,000 mark in November, but infections gradually dropped to 6,000s in recent days.

The number of daily fatalities dropped to below 200 after the country has seen nearly 500 deaths in a daily base during November.

Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/latest-on-...navirus-claims-191-more-lives-in-iran/2083992.

 

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UAE urges people not to spread rumours about COVID mutation

The call came on Tuesday during a press briefing

Dubai: The UAE is urging people not to circulate rumours regarding the new mutated strain of COVID-19 and to continue abide by preventive measures, it was announced during the UAE Government COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday.

Dr Omar Abdulrahman Al Hammadi, Official Spokesman of the UAE Government, addressed the press briefing on Tuesday where he spoke about the new COVID-19 strain first detected in the UK.

He said: "No need to panic as everything is under control. Our heath sector, thanks to its qualified cadres, is able to deal efficiently with any developments and provide the best healthcare to both citizens and residents."

"All passengers coming from abroad need to adhere to all precautionary measures, including home quarantine, and to approach the nearest hospital if they have any symptoms," he added.

“Viruses usually change and mutate over time due to variants happening in their genes, but nothing to worry about as vaccines can defeat the mutated virus,” the spokesman said.

Source: https://gulfnews.com/uae/government...-rumours-about-covid-mutation-1.1608649531740.

 

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Jordan records 23 deaths and 2,444 new coronavirus cases

Jordan has recorded 23 deaths and 2,444 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the crisis to 279,892.

The death toll has risen to 3,627.

The cases are:

-777 in Amman

-736 in Irbid, including 66 in Ramtha

-217 in Zarqa

-137 in Ajloun

-82 in Aqaba

-49 in Madaba

-46 in Tafilah

-153 in Balqa

-96 in Mafraq

-67 in Jerash

-47 in Karak

-37 in Ma'an, including five in Petra

A total of 135 cases have been admitted to the hospitals, and 120 have been discharged upon recovery.

There are a total of 27,009 active COVID-19 cases.

A total of 3,088 recoveries have been recorded from hospitals and home quarantine, bringing the total amount of recoveries since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis to 249,256.

There are 1,041 patients receiving treatment in hospitals.

A total of 19,085 PCR tests have been conducted, bringing the total number of tests conducted since the beginning of the crisis to 3,002,173.

Tuesday, 12.81 percent of PCR tests have come back positive.

Source: https://en.royanews.tv/news/24347/Jordan-records-23-deaths-and-2-444-new-coronavirus-cases.

 

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COVID-19 Death Toll in Iran Exceeds 54,000

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The death toll from the novel coronavirus pandemic surpassed 54,000 in Iran.
Speaking at a daily press conference on Tuesday, Health Ministry Spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said the coronavirus has taken the lives of 187 patients during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 54,003.

The number of people tested positive for COVID-19 in Iran has exceeded 1,170,000 after the detection of 6,208 new cases since yesterday, she added.

Of the new cases detected over the past 24 hours, 915 patients have been admitted to the hospital, the spokeswoman said.

At least 904,000 patients have recovered from the coronavirus infection so far or have been discharged from hospitals across Iran, she said.

Among those undergoing treatment in medical centers at present, 5,467 coronavirus patients have critical health conditions because of more severe infection, Lari noted.

The spokeswoman also said nearly 7,150,000 coronavirus diagnostic tests have been carried out in Iran so far.

The number of people infected with COVID-19 across the world has exceeded 77.8 million and the death toll has surpassed 1.7 million.

Source: https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/12/22/2415999/covid-19-death-toll-in-iran-exceeds-54-000.

 

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Oman says it suspects 4 cases of new mutated COVID-19

No indications so far that the new mutant coronavirus variant is more dangerous

Dubai: Oman’s Ministry of Health announced that it suspected four cases of the new mutated strain of COVID-19 coming from the UK, Oman’s News Agency reported.

The suspected cases are under study to determine if they are the new variant virus, Dr. Ahmed Al Saidi, Health Minister said.

“The ongoing study will examine the suspected cases of four people coming from the UK. We are studying the genetic map and the results will be announced later,” the Minister said.

He said, however, there are no indications so far that the new mutant COVID-19 variant is more dangerous than COVID-19 virus.

Al Saidi, who is also member of the Supreme Committee tasked with tackling COVID-19, the decisions to close land and sea borders and suspend flights for one week are based on the developments on the epidemiological situation of the virus.

“The decisions will be evaluated according the developments and we will continue following-up and monitoring the situation,” the Minister said.

Source: https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/oma...cases-of-new-mutated-covid-19-1.1608633399432.

 

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Yemen to require COVID-19 test for travelers into the country

DUBAI: Yemen’s COVID-19 emergency committee has required a negative PCR test for those travelling into the country at least 72 hours before their arrival.

The committee instructed land, sea and air border authorities to implement the measure by Dec. 25, state news agency Saba New reported on Tuesday.

In a statement, the committee affirmed that this measure comes in response to the World Health Organization’s warnings about the outbreak of a second wave of the rapidly spreading coronavirus.

Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/1780986/middle-east.

 

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Jordan records 25 deaths and 2,091 new coronavirus cases

Jordan has recorded 25 deaths deaths and 2,091 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the crisis to 281,983.

The death toll has risen to 3,652.

The cases are:

-765 in Amman

-134 in Zarqa

-133 in Mafraq

-91 in Karak

-46 in Aqaba

-41 in Madaba

-503 in Irbid, including 59 in Ramtha

-133 in Jerash

-106 in Balqa

-63 in Ajloun

-44 in Tafilah

-32 in Ma'an, including three in Petra

A total of 120 cases have been admitted to the hospitals, and 132 have been discharged upon recovery.

There are a total of 26,173 active COVID-19 cases.

A total of 2,902 recoveries have been recorded from hospitals and home quarantine, bringing the total amount of recoveries since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis to 252,158.

There are 1,005 patients receiving treatment in hospitals.

A total of 20,453 PCR tests have been conducted, bringing the total number of tests conducted since the beginning of the crisis to 3,022,626.

Wednesday, 10.22 percent of PCR tests have come back positive.

Source: https://en.royanews.tv/news/24360/2020-12-23.

 

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Coronavirus: UAE reports 1,246 Covid-19 cases, 1,533 recoveries, 3 deaths

More than 19.7 million Covid-19 tests have been carried out in the UAE so far.
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Wednesday reported 1,246 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 1,533 recoveries.

Three deaths were also reported.

As many as new 145,523 Covid-19 tests were carried out, taking the total number of tests carried out in the country to nearly 19.7 million so far.

On Wednesday, Dubai launched its free rollout of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against Covid-19 after the first batch of vaccines were transported from Brussels on an Emirates flight.

During the first phase, the vaccine is prioritised for citizens and residents aged above 60 or those with a chronic illness above the age of 18. Residents who have been trying to call the hotline number 800342 are being asked to complete an online eligibility survey and if deemed eligible an appointment will be booked.

Following an ease in the Covid-19 situation, Abu Dhabi announced updated guidelines to enter the emirate for UAE citizens and residents, as well as returning Abu Dhabi residents.

Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/corona...-1246-covid-19-cases-1533-recoveries-3-deaths.

 

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Iran records 6,261 new COVID-19 cases, 1,177,004 in total

TEHRAN, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iran's health authorities announced on Wednesday 6,261 new COVID-19 infections, raising the overall count in the country to 1,177,004 cases, official news agency IRNA reported.

Of the newly infected in the past 24 hours, 1,075 had to be hospitalized, the spokeswoman for the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education Sima Sadat Lari said at her daily briefing.

She said 153 deaths with the coronavirus were registered between Tuesday and Wednesday, taking the death toll in Iran to 54,156.

In the meantime, 914,194 COVID-19 patients have recovered or been released from Iranian hospitals, where 5,419 others are currently in critical condition, according to Sadat Lari's report.

As of Wednesday, 7,201,567 tests for COVID-19 have been carried out in Iran, the spokeswoman noted.

Iran announced its first cases of COVID-19 on Feb. 19.

Iranian Minister of Health Saeed Namaki said on Wednesday in the sidelines of a cabinet meeting that no case of the new COVID-19 variant found in Britain has been reported to date in Iran.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said in the same meeting that Tehran has no concern about the country's capacity to manufacture vaccines for COVID-19, and added that the Ministry of Health and the Central Bank of Iran are sparing no efforts to assist in the development of such vaccines.

Source: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-12/23/c_139613725.htm.

 

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COVID-19 in GCC: Oman reports below 100 cases

177 new coronavirus cases in Saudi Arabia, 184 in Bahrain

Dubai: For the first time in eight months, Oman on Wednesday reported less than 100 COVID-19 cases. The sultanate announced on Wednesday the detection of 93 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases registered in the country to 128, 236.

Oman reported more than 100 cases in a single day for the first time on April 13.

One new COVID-19-related death was also recorded, taking the total death toll to 1,491.

The total recovery cases reached 120,178, which is 93.7 per cent of the total cases reported so far.

Eight people were hospitalised during the past 24 hours, taking the total number of in-patients in hospitals to 77, including 36 in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).

Bahrain
Out of 9,576 COVID-19 tests carried out yesterday, 184 new cases have been detected, taking the overall tally of infections to 90,634, according to the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health.

There were 124 recoveries from COVID-19, increasing total recoveries to 88,666. There are currently 15 COVID-19 cases in a critical condition, and 33 cases receiving treatment. 1,603 cases are stable out of a total of 1,618 active cases.

Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health recorded on Wednesday 177 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the Kingdom to 361,536.

The health ministry also reported nine more virus-related deaths over the past 24 hours, taking the total number of deaths from complications caused by COVID-19 to 6,148.

The ministry also reported 169 new recoveries over the past 24 hours, raising the total number of people free from the deadly virus to 352,418, with the recovery rate rising to 97.47 percent.

Riyadh reported the highest number of infections with 59 cases, followed by Mecca with 31 and Medina with 26.

With the significant fall in new infections, the active cases in the Kingdom also dropped to 2,970 out of which 383 were critical cases.

Earlier in the day, the health ministry said it is continuously monitoring developments with regard to the mutation of coronavirus.

The ministry also said the coronavirus situation in the Kingdom is very reassuring and there are other reasons for the rise in infections around world.

The ministry is working to set up vaccination centres in all regions of the Kingdom.

Qatar
Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health announced 140 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, taking the total number of confirmed infections to 142,448. The ministry also recorded 135 recoveries from the virus, bringing the total number of recovered cases to 140,264. No new deaths were reported over the past 24 hours, leaving the country’s death toll at 243.

Source: https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/covid-19-in-gcc-oman-reports-below-100-cases-1.76084869.

 

[sweep_shot]

Palestine records 31 deaths and 2,110 new coronavirus cases

Palestine recorded 31 deaths and 2,110 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, announced the Palestinian Minister of Health Mai al-Kaila Wednesday.

The new deaths involved 16 in the West Bank (one in Nablus; one in Qalqilya; one in Bethlehem; three in Jenin; one in Tulkarem, and nine in Hebron), 12 in Gaza Strip, and three in Jerusalem city.

The recovery rate in Palestine stands at 81.9 percent, while the active case rate is 17.2 percent and the death rate is 0.9 percent.

The new coronavirus cases include 163 in Nablus; 31 in Qalqilya; 88 in the suburbs of Jerusalem; 33 in Salfit; 20 in Tubas; 85 in Bethlehem; 139 in Jenin; 81 in Tulkarem; 18 in Jericho and Al-Aghwar; 156 in Hebron; 189 in Ramallah and Al-Bireh; 867 in Gaza Strip, and 240 in Jerusalem city.

The recovery cases included 105 in Nablus; 49 in Qalqilya; 37 in Tubas; 37 in Salfit; 128 in Jenin; 114 in Tulkarem; 17 in Jericho and Al-Aghwar; 240 in Hebron; 280 in Ramallah and Al-Bireh; 580 in Gaza Strip, and 236 in Jerusalem city.

Currently, 119 people are in the Intensive Care Unit and 29 are on ventilators.

Wednesday, 6,367 PCR tests were conducted.

Source: https://en.royanews.tv/news/24357/2020-12-23.

 

[Firebat]

Israel imposing third national COVID-19 lockdown

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel will impose a third national lockdown to fight surging COVID-19 infections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday, as the country pursues a vaccination campaign.

The restrictions will come into effect on Sunday evening and last for 14 days, pending final cabinet approval, a statement from Netanyahu’s office said.

They include the closure of shops, limited public transport, a partial shutdown of schools and a one-kilometre (two-thirds of a mile) restriction on travel from home, except for commuting to workplaces that remain open, and to purchase essential goods.

Such measures will cost Israel’s economy about three billion shekels ($932.6 million) a week, the Finance Ministry said.

“This closure will erase us. We passed two, now the third will kill us. To hell with it,” said Ovadia, a fruit stand vendor in a Tel Aviv market. He declined to give his full name.

The economy is expected to shrink 4.5% in 2020, though the Bank of Israel has said the contraction could reach 5% should the COVID-19 crisis prompt more curbs. In November, the jobless rate stood at 12%. The economy is projected to grow as much as 6.5% in 2021 and possibly faster - if the pandemic is contained.

With a population of nine million, Israel has so far reported more than 385,000 cases of COVID-19 and 3,150 deaths.

The number of daily infections approached 4,000 on Wednesday, rising from around 1,000 at the end of a month-long lockdown imposed in September that followed one that ran from late March to early May.

On Wednesday, the Health Ministry said it had found four people infected with the new variant of the coronavirus that has emerged in Britain.

With regard to Israel’s Christian minority, the Health Ministry said that during Christmas, prayers at houses of worship would be limited to gatherings of 10 people in closed spaces and 100 people in open areas.

The new lockdown comes with Israel’s vaccination drive already underway. Health workers and people over the age of 60 are the first groups to be inoculated in a campaign which the health minister said he expected to be completed within months.

But public anger has risen over the government’s perceived inconsistent handling of the crisis, and Israel will hold an election on March 23, its fourth in two years, after constant infighting in Netanyahu’s coalition.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...national-covid-19-lockdown-idUSKBN28Y10O?il=0

 

[sweep_shot]

Jordan records 29 deaths and 1,707 new coronavirus cases

Jordan has recorded 29 deaths and 1,707 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the crisis to 283,690.

The death toll has risen to 3,681.

The cases are:

- 558 in Amman

- 532 in Irbid, including 72 in Ramtha

- 126 in Zarqa

- 96 in Balqa

- 82 in Mafraq

- 75 in Jerash

- 71 in Ajloun

- 48 in Aqaba

- 40 in Karak

- 40 in Tafilah

- 33 in Madaba

- Six in Ma'an

A total of 106 cases have been admitted to the hospitals, and 113 have been discharged upon recovery.

There are a total of 25,513 active COVID-19 cases.

A total of 2,338 recoveries have been recorded from hospitals and home quarantine, bringing the total amount of recoveries since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis to 254,496.

There are 951 patients receiving treatment in hospitals.

A total of 17,716 PCR tests have been conducted, bringing the total number of tests conducted since the beginning of the crisis to 3,040,342.

Thursday, 9.64 percent of PCR tests have come back positive.

Source: https://en.royanews.tv/news/24386/Jordan-records-29-deaths-and-1-707-new-coronavirus-cases.

 

[sweep_shot]

Palestine records 1,704 Covid-19 cases, 17 deaths
RAMALLAH, Thursday, December 24, 2020 (WAFA) – Palestine today recorded 1,704 new Covid-19 cases and 17 deaths, according to Health Minister Mai al-Kaileh.

Al-Kaileh announced that 1,704 Palestinians contracted the virus and 17 others died of it in the occupied territories.

Among the new 1,704 cases, 898 cases were recorded in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and 806 others in the besieged Gaza Strip.

The West Bank new confirmed cases were distributed as follows: 78 cases in Tulkarm governorate, 42 in Salfit, 134 in Nablus, 62 in Jerusalem suburbs, 151 in Hebron, 24 in Qalqilia, 73 in Bethlehem, 211 in Ramallah, 95 in Jenin, 15 in Tubas and 13 in Jericho.

Al-Kaileh identified the new deaths as eight deaths from the West Bank and nine from Gaza. The West Bank deaths were distributed as follows: one in Tulkarm, another in Jerusalem suburbs, two in Bethlehem, two in Ramallah, one in Jenin and one in Tubas.

Al-Kaileh added that 2,291 Covid-19 patients recovered in the occupied territories; 1,626 recovery cases in the West Bank and 665 in the Gaza Strip.

The West Bank recoveries were distributed as follows: 77 in Tulkarm, 46 in Salfit, 198 in Nablus, 358 in Jerusalem suburbs, 214 in Hebron, 48 in Qalqilia, 82 in Bethlehem, 218 in Ramallah, 341 in Jenin, 26 in Tubas and 18 in Jericho.

She pointed that 122 Covid-19 patients are still hospitalized in intensive care units, including 29 who are connected to respirators.

According to the latest coronavirus data, the confirmed cases in the occupied territories (West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza) reached 145,422.

Out of the 145,422 cases, 93,017 are recorded in the West Bank, 36,063 in the Gaza Strip and 16,342 in East Jerusalem.

Recoveries have totaled 119,938, and the death toll reached 1,364, leaving a total of 24,120 active cases.

Recoveries account for 82.5 percent of total cases since the pandemic outbreak in March, active cases for 16.6 percent and the death toll accounts for 0.9 percent.

Source: https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/122590.

 

[sweep_shot]

Coronavirus: UAE reports 1,311 Covid-19 cases, 1,495 recoveries, 2 deaths

More than 19.8 million Covid-19 tests have been carried out in the UAE so far.
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Thursday reported 1,311 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 1,495 recoveries.

Two deaths were also reported.

As many as new 138,914 Covid-19 tests were carried out, taking the total number of tests carried out in the country to nearly 19.8 million so far.

Residents started receiving the rollout of free Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines in Dubai on Thursday. Dubai Media Office released an inspirational video of the first five recipients of the vaccine, which was launched in Dubai on Wednesday.

The vaccination is available at six DHA health facilities, including Zabeel Primary Health Care Centre, Al Mizhar Primary Health Care Centre, Nadd Al Hamar Primary Health Care Centre, Barsha Primary Health Care Centre, Uptown Mirdif Medical Fitness Centre and Hatta Hospital.

Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/corona...-1311-covid-19-cases-1495-recoveries-2-deaths.

 

[sweep_shot]

54 new coronavirus cases reported in Oman

Muscat: The Ministry of Health has registered 54 new coronavirus cases and 0 deaths in Oman.

The total cases in the country have now touched 128290 including 120441 recoveries and 1491 deaths, according to MOH.

In the past 24 hours, 263 recoveries were reported.

The ministry urged everyone to adhere to social distancing instructions issued by the Supreme Committee and the MOH.

Source: https://timesofoman.com/article/54-new-coronavirus-cases-reported-in-oman.

 

[sweep_shot]

Iran’s Coronavirus Death Toll Exceeds 54,300

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Health Ministry said on Thursday that the country's death toll from the coronavirus has surpassed 54,300.
Health Ministry Spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari told state TV that 6,178 new cases were identified over the past 24 hours, bringing the country’s total number of identified cases to 1,183,182.

She added that the total death toll from the viral infection had reached 54,308 with 152 new deaths.

Lari said 5,371 coronavirus patients are in critical condition.

She also put the number of those who have so far recovered from the viral infection at 924,685.

The number of people infected with COVID-19 across the world has surpassed 79 million and the death toll has exceeded 1.74 million.

Source: https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/12/24/2417422/iran-s-coronavirus-death-toll-exceeds-54-300.

 

[sweep_shot]

Jordan records 30 deaths and 1,616 new coronavirus cases

Jordan has recorded 30 deaths and 1,616 new COVID-19 cases Friday, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the crisis to 285,306.

The death toll has risen to 3,711.

The cases are:

-627 in Irbid, including 79 in Ramtha

-477 in Amman

-146 in Mafraq

-75 in Jerash

-33 in Karak

-23 in Ma'an, including eight in Petra

-Six in Ajloun

-138 in Zarqa

-41 in Balqa

-29 in Tafilah

-17 in Madaba

-Four in Aqaba

A total of 102 cases have been admitted to the hospitals, and 100 have been discharged upon recovery.

There are a total of 25,283 active COVID-19 cases.

A total of 1,816 recoveries have been recorded from hospitals and home quarantine, bringing the total amount of recoveries since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis to 256,312.

There are 769 patients receiving treatment in hospitals.

A total of 16,827 PCR tests have been conducted, bringing the total number of tests conducted since the beginning of the crisis to 3,057,169.

Friday, 9.6 percent of PCR tests have come back positive.

Source: https://en.royanews.tv/news/24406/Jordan-records-30-deaths-and-1-616-new-coronavirus-cases.

 

[sweep_shot]

Coronavirus: UAE reports 1,230 Covid-19 cases, 1,386 recoveries, 6 deaths

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Friday reported 1,230 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 1,386 recoveries.

Six deaths were also reported.

As many as new 143,901 Covid-19 tests were carried out, taking the total number of tests carried out in the country to nearly 20 million so far.

Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/corona...-1230-covid-19-cases-1386-recoveries-6-deaths.

 

[sweep_shot]

Over 27,000 Iranians ready to test home-grown coronavirus vaccine

"So far, 44,941 people have contacted us to apply for the human test of the coronavirus vaccine, and 27,079 people have announced readiness," Hojjat Niki Maleki wrote on his Twitter account on Friday.
"These people were military forces, students, teachers, university professors, composers, journalists, performers, workers, truck drivers, and miners.
Scientists were highly motivated," he further wrote.

Vaccine on human trial phase

Iran started testing its first domestically-made coronavirus vaccine by injecting it to 56 volunteers aged 18 to 50 years on December 20.

The candidates must remain in quarantine for a week to a month to show the side effects of the vaccine.

In the meantime, the test results are checked several times for blood and cellular immunity.

After the results of the study are determined, the second stage begins with the injection in 500 people, and after 28 days, the third phase begins with mass production.

Mostafa Ghane'ei, an official with the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, said that the domestically produced COVID-19 vaccine will probably be injected into the whole population by September 23, 2021.

Now that coronavirus vaccines have been developed in the world and the third phase of clinical trials has passed, the possible side effects are almost certain, and Iran will be aware of the side effects which speeds up the process, he noted, adding, “vaccines produced in Iran are the same as those produced in China, India, the United States, etc.”

Iraj Harirchi, the deputy minister of health, has said that in Iran, 12 groups are making efforts to develop coronavirus vaccine, three of which have passed the animal testing.

In December, Namaki expressed hope that the country will introduce the home-grown COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 19, 2021).

COVID-19 toll, new cases on declining trend

Due to the high prevalence of the disease, strict COVID-19 restrictions took effect on October 26.

The National Headquarters for Coronavirus Control started strict restrictions in 43 cities that had the highest rate of infection in the country. Ten days later, decisions were made to set new limitations on highly-affected areas for another 10 days, through which 46 cities undergone restrictions.

The plan divided cities into three levels of alert, namely red, orange, and yellow.

Another plan also went into effect on November 21, according to which all occupations, except for emergency services and basic food suppliers, get closed for two weeks in high-risk cities.

Alireza Reisi, a spokesman for the National Headquarters for Coronavirus Control, said a week earlier that the disease prevalence is declining in 30 of the whole 31 provinces and the death toll had dropped to 50 percent in comparison to the previous month. Also, the hospitalization rate has been reduced by 40 percent.

In a press briefing on Friday, Health Ministry spokesperson Sima-Sadat Lari confirmed 6,021 new cases of COVID-19 infection, raising the total number of infections to 1,189,203. She added that 933,736 patients have so far recovered, but 5,345 still remain in critical conditions of the disease.

During the past 24 hours, 132 patients have lost their lives, bringing the total number of deaths to 54,440, she added.

So far, 7,303,238 COVID-19 diagnostic tests have been performed in the country.

Source: https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/45...-ready-to-test-home-grown-coronavirus-vaccine.

 

[sweep_shot]

Palestine registers 1812 more cases of coronavirus, 21 deaths

RAMALLAH, Friday, December 25, 2020 (WAFA) – Minister of Health Mai announced today that 1812 more cases of COVID-19, 21 deaths and 1783 recoveries were registered across Palestine during the past 24 hours.

In her daily report on the COVID-19 pandemic, Alkaila said the latest figures bring up the total number of coronavirus-related deaths registered since the outbreak of the pandemic in Palestine in early March 2020 to 1364.

On the new cases, the Health Minister said 47 cases were registered in Salfit, 142 in Hebron, 14 in Jericho, 95 in Tulkarm, 28 in Tubas, 127 in Jenin, 26 in Qalqilia, 85 in Nablus, 55 in Bethlehem, 159 in Ramallah, 12 in the West Bank side of the Jerusalem Governorate, and 294 in occupied Jerusalem.

In the Gaza Strip, a total of 728 were registered during the last 24 hours.

Alkaila pointed out that a total of 6134 COVID-19 tests were carried out during the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, she pointed out that a total of 82.7 percent of the total number of cases registered since the outbreak of the pandemic in Palestine have recovered. This means that active cases represent 16,4 percent, while deaths accounted for 0.9 percent of total infections.

Alkaila added that 118 COVID-19 patients are currently under intensive care, of whom 26 are on respirators.

Source: https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/122601.

 

[sweep_shot]

Iraq reports 1,140 new COVID-19 cases, 589,943 in total

BAGHDAD, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Health Ministry reported on Friday 1,140 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total nationwide infections to 589,943.

The new cases included 442 in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, 140 in Kirkuk, 117 in Nineveh, and 95 in Duhok, the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry also reported 11 new deaths, raising the death toll from the infectious virus to 12,755, and 1,531 more recovered cases, bringing the total recoveries to 528,872.

A total of 4,334,173 tests have been carried out across the country since the outbreak of the disease in February, with 39,288 done during the day, according to the statement.

The Iraqi authorities have imposed new restrictive measures to protect the Iraqi people from a new strain of coronavirus that was recently found in many countries and is characterized by faster transmission.

The authorities have decided to ban travel to Britain, South Africa, Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Iran, Japan, and any other country the Ministry of Health would recommend.

The authorities also banned the entry of travellers from these countries, except for Iraqi citizens who must be quarantined for 14 days until a PCR test proves they are not infected with the virus.

Moreover, the authorities decided to suspend the ground border crossings, except for emergencies and trade exchange, and to close malls, restaurants, and other public facilities from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for two weeks starting Dec. 24.

Iraq has taken a series of measures to contain the pandemic since February when the first coronavirus case appeared in the country.

China has been helping Iraq fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

From March 7 to April 26, a Chinese team of seven medical experts spent 50 days in Iraq to help contain the disease, during which they helped build a PCR lab and install an advanced CT scanner in Baghdad.

Since March 7, China has also sent three batches of medical aid to Iraq.

Source: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-12/26/c_139619222.htm.

 

[sweep_shot]

Palestine registers 1812 more cases of coronavirus, 21 deaths

RAMALLAH, Friday, December 25, 2020 (WAFA) – Minister of Health Mai announced today that 1812 more cases of COVID-19, 21 deaths and 1783 recoveries were registered across Palestine during the past 24 hours.

In her daily report on the COVID-19 pandemic, Alkaila said the latest figures bring up the total number of coronavirus-related deaths registered since the outbreak of the pandemic in Palestine in early March 2020 to 1364.

On the new cases, the Health Minister said 47 cases were registered in Salfit, 142 in Hebron, 14 in Jericho, 95 in Tulkarm, 28 in Tubas, 127 in Jenin, 26 in Qalqilia, 85 in Nablus, 55 in Bethlehem, 159 in Ramallah, 12 in the West Bank side of the Jerusalem Governorate, and 294 in occupied Jerusalem.

In the Gaza Strip, a total of 728 were registered during the last 24 hours.

Alkaila pointed out that a total of 6134 COVID-19 tests were carried out during the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, she pointed out that a total of 82.7 percent of the total number of cases registered since the outbreak of the pandemic in Palestine have recovered. This means that active cases represent 16,4 percent, while deaths accounted for 0.9 percent of total infections.

Alkaila added that 118 COVID-19 patients are currently under intensive care, of whom 26 are on respirators.

Source: https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/122601.

 

[sweep_shot]

Jordan records 18 deaths and 1,050 new coronavirus cases

Jordan has recorded 18 deaths and 1,050 new COVID-19 cases Saturday, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the crisis to 286,356.

The death toll has risen to 3,729.

The cases are:

-372 in Amman

-344 in Irbid, including 12 in Ramtha

-82 in Balqa

-63 in Aqaba

-63 in Mafraq

-48 in Ajloun

-27 in Madaba

-21 in Zarqa

-20 in Karak

-Five in Jerash

-Three in Tafilah

-Two in Ma'an

A total of 85 cases have been admitted to the hospitals, and 49 have been discharged upon recovery.

There are a total of 23,976 active COVID-19 cases.

A total of 2,339 recoveries have been recorded from hospitals and home quarantine, bringing the total amount of recoveries since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis to 258,651.

There are 932 patients receiving treatment in hospitals.

A total of 11,123 PCR tests have been conducted, bringing the total number of tests conducted since the beginning of the crisis to 3,068,292.

Saturday, 9.44 percent of PCR tests have come back positive.

Source: https://en.royanews.tv/news/24428/Jordan-records-18-deaths-and-1-050-new-coronavirus-cases.

 

[sweep_shot]

Coronavirus: UAE reports 1,227 Covid-19 cases, 1,542 recoveries, 2 deaths

The country has conducted 20 million tests so far.

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Saturday reported 1,227 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 1,542 recoveries and two deaths.

As many as 157,461 new Covid-19 tests were carried out, taking the total number of tests carried out in the country to 20 million plus so far.

The total number of cases in UAE as on December 26 stand at 200,892, while recoveries are 177,407. Death toll rises to 655.

Total number of active cases in the country stand at 22,830.

Meanwhile, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) received an international recognition for being “proactive” in its Covid-19 response action plan.

Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/corona...-1227-covid-19-cases-1542-recoveries-2-deaths.

 

[sweep_shot]

Iran extends traffic curfew to 330 cities to sustain coronavirus decline

Iran has extended a night-time traffic curfew to 330 lower-risk cities in an effort to sustain a recent fall in the number of new coronavirus infections and deaths, state television reported on Saturday.

Alireza Raisi, spokesman for the national coronavirus task force, said on state TV that a curfew running from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., already in place in 108 so-called “orange” or medium-risk cities, will be extended to lower-risk “yellow” cities.

The curfew, during which there is a ban on the use of private cars to reduce the level of contacts between people, resulted in nearly 100,000 fines on one night in the past week.

Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari told state TV that 134 people had died of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, the lowest since Sept. 13, taking total deaths to 54,574 in the Middle East’s worst-affected country.

There were 5,760 new cases reported, the lowest since Oct. 22, bringing the total to 1,194,964.
Iran’s Central Bank head said on Thursday it had received approval from US authorities to transfer money to a Swiss bank to buy coronavirus vaccines from COVAX, a multi-agency group dedicated to assuring fair access to vaccines for low- and middle-income countries.

It did not say which vaccines it was buying.

On Saturday, President Hassan Rouhani, in televised remarks, reiterated Iran’s complaint that US sanctions had made it difficult to make payments for vaccines. “We arranged money from a bank to buy vaccines from COVAX but they said you need (US) approval,” Rouhani said.

Food and medicine are exempt from sanctions that Washington reimposed on Tehran after President Donald Trump walked away from Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. But the US measures have deterred some foreign banks from processing financial transactions for Iran deals.

Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/1783171/middle-east.

 

[sweep_shot]

145 new coronavirus (COVID-19) recoveries, 169 new positive cases, no new death recorded in Qatar: MoPH

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has just announced the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) figures here in Qatar. Check them out below:

Summary of new infections, recoveries and deaths
169 confirmed new cases infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19) virus bringing the total number of positive cases in Qatar to date to 142,903. Of these positive cases, 110 are cases recorded among community members within Qatar and 59 cases among travellers returning from abroad who are subject to quarantine. All new cases are in isolation and are receiving the necessary health care according to their health status.
145 people recovered from the virus during the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of people that have recovered in Qatar to 140,687.
No new death was recorded in the past 24 hours. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths to date in Qatar to date is 244.

Source: https://www.iloveqatar.net/coronavi...eath-recorded-in-qatar-mo-ph-26-december-2020.

 

[sweep_shot]

Iraq reports 818 new COVID-19 cases, lowest since June

BAGHDAD, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Ministry of Health reported on Sunday 818 new COVID-19 cases in the country, bringing the total nationwide infections to 591,597.

It is the lowest daily increase in Iraq since June, as the ministry recorded between 1,000 and 5,000 single-day cases during the period.

The new cases included 194 in the capital Baghdad, 171 in Kirkuk, 116 in Nineveh, and 65 in Diyala, said a ministry statement.

The ministry also reported 13 new deaths, raising the death toll from the infectious virus to 12,780, and 1,541 more recovered cases, bringing the total recoveries to 531,803.

A total of 4,403,180 tests have been carried out across the country since the outbreak of the disease in February, with 34,058 done during the day, according to the statement.

The Iraqi authorities have imposed new restrictions to protect the people from a new strain of coronavirus that was recently found in many countries and is characterized by faster transmission.

The authorities have decided to ban travel to Britain, South Africa, Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Iran, Japan, and any other country the Ministry of Health would recommend.

The authorities also banned the entry of travellers from these countries, except for Iraqi citizens who must be quarantined for 14 days until a PCR test proves they are not infected with COVID-19.

Moreover, the authorities decided to suspend the ground border crossings, except for emergencies and trade exchange, and to close malls, restaurants, and other public facilities from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for two weeks starting Dec. 24.

Iraq has taken a series of measures to contain the pandemic since February when the first coronavirus case appeared in the country.

China has been helping Iraq fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

From March 7 to April 26, a Chinese team of seven medical experts spent 50 days in Iraq to help contain the disease, during which they helped build a PCR lab and install an advanced CT scanner in Baghdad.

Since March 7, China has also sent three batches of medical aid to Iraq.

Source: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-12/28/c_139622493.htm.

 

[sweep_shot]

Jordan records 29 deaths and 1,590 new coronavirus cases

Jordan has recorded 29 deaths and 1,590 new COVID-19 cases Sunday, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the crisis to 287,946.

The death toll has risen to 3,758.

The cases are:

-485 in Amman

-377 in Irbid, including 21 in Ramtha

-143 in Balqa

-108 in Mafraq

-95 in Zarqa

-91 in Jerash

-77 in Ajloun

-61 in Aqaba

-56 in Karak

-41 in Tafilah

-36 in Madaba

-20 in Ma'an, including three in Petra

A total of 105 cases have been admitted to the hospitals, and 141 have been discharged upon recovery.

There are a total of 22,674active COVID-19 cases.

A total of 2,863 recoveries have been recorded from hospitals and home quarantine, bringing the total amount of recoveries since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis to 261,514.

There are 856 patients receiving treatment in hospitals.

A total of 15,041 PCR tests have been conducted, bringing the total number of tests conducted since the beginning of the crisis to 3,083,333.

Sunday, 10.57 percent of PCR tests have come back positive.

Source: https://en.royanews.tv/news/24449/2020-12-27.

 

[sweep_shot]

Palestine registers 1506 new coronavirus cases, 28 deaths and 1493 recoveries

RAMALLAH, Sunday, December 27, 2020 (WAFA) – 28 deaths related to coronavirus, 1506 new infections and 1493 recoveries were registered during the last 24 hours in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, according to Minister of Health Mai Alkaila.

Alkaila said in her daily report on the coronavirus in Palestine that 10 of the deaths were in the Gaza Strip, while the 18 others were in the West Bank.

Ramallah district had the highest number of cases in the West Bank where 130 infections were registered, followed by Hebron (106), Nablus (99), Tulkarm (69), Bethlehem (65), Jenin (61), Tubas (26), the West Bank side of the Jerusalem Governorate (25), Qalqilia (23), Salfit (21), and Jericho (10).

The Gaza Strip recorded 554 new cases and 160 recoveries, whereas 317 cases were registered in the Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.

According to the Health Minister, 112 COVID-19 patients are getting treatment in intensive care units, among them 27 are on ventilators.

Source: https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/122625.

 

[sweep_shot]

182 new coronavirus cases, 4 deaths reported in Oman

Muscat: The Ministry of Health has registered 182 new coronavirus cases and 4 deaths in Oman in 72 hours.

The total cases in the country have now touched 128472 including 120976 recoveries and 1495 deaths, according to MOH.

In the past 72 hours, 535 recoveries were reported.

The ministry urged everyone to adhere to social distancing instructions issued by the Supreme Committee and the MOH.

Source: https://timesofoman.com/article/182-new-coronavirus-cases-4-deaths-reported-in-oman.

 

[sweep_shot]

Coronavirus: UAE reports 944 Covid-19 cases, 1,265 recoveries, 2 deaths

Over 20.3 million tests have been conducted in the country.
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Saturday reported 944 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 1,265 recoveries.

Two deaths were also reported in the country as a result of the illness and there are 22,507 active cases in the UAE right now.

As many as 152,146 new Covid-19 tests were carried out, the ministry added, taking the total to over 20.3 million.

Meanwhile, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) received an international recognition for being “proactive” in its Covid-19 response action plan.

The authority was honoured by the International Hospital Federation (IHF) under the ‘Beyond the Call of Duty for Covid-19 Programme’ for its “swift and innovative” action plan during the pandemic.

On Friday, the world celebrated Christmas with hundreds of millions under coronavirus restrictions celebrating a pared-down version of a holiday typically marked by travel and large gatherings.

The battle to halt the pandemic, which has claimed more than 1.7 million lives, is far from over despite the launching of mass vaccine campaigns that offer the promise of an eventual return to normalcy.

Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/corona...s-944-covid-19-cases-1265-recoveries-2-deaths.

 

[sweep_shot]

Palestine registers 1506 new coronavirus cases, 28 deaths and 1493 recoveries

RAMALLAH, Sunday, December 27, 2020 (WAFA) – 28 deaths related to coronavirus, 1506 new infections and 1493 recoveries were registered during the last 24 hours in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, according to Minister of Health Mai Alkaila.

Alkaila said in her daily report on the coronavirus in Palestine that 10 of the deaths were in the Gaza Strip, while the 18 others were in the West Bank.

Ramallah district had the highest number of cases in the West Bank where 130 infections were registered, followed by Hebron (106), Nablus (99), Tulkarm (69), Bethlehem (65), Jenin (61), Tubas (26), the West Bank side of the Jerusalem Governorate (25), Qalqilia (23), Salfit (21), and Jericho (10).

The Gaza Strip recorded 554 new cases and 160 recoveries, whereas 317 cases were registered in the Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.

According to the Health Minister, 112 COVID-19 patients are getting treatment in intensive care units, among them 27 are on ventilators.

Source: https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/122625.

 

[sweep_shot]

Jordan confirms first two cases of new Covid-19 variant linked to UK

The first two positive tests for a new coronavirus strain linked to the UK have been confirmed in Jordan, the country's health minister, Natheer Obeidat, told the Petra news agency on Sunday

The first two positive tests for a new coronavirus strain linked to the UK have been confirmed in Jordan, the country's health minister, Natheer Obeidat, told the Petra news agency on Sunday.

The new strain was identified in a married Jordanian couple who had returned from the United Kingdom on December 19, the health minister told the agency.

At present, the two infected individuals are in an "excellent" condition, Obeidat was quoted as saying.

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the existence of a new coronavirus variant in southeast England on December 14. The new strain is believed to have spread to several countries across Europe and further afield.

Dozens of countries have subsequently imposed a temporary ban on flights from the United Kingdom in order to control the spread of the new variant, which is said to be more easily transmissible.

Source: https://www.business-standard.com/a...d-19-variant-linked-to-uk-120122800038_1.html.

 

[sweep_shot]

UAE confirms 1,027 new coronavirus cases, Dubai extends tourist visas for 1 month

DUBAI: The UAE on Monday recorded 1,027 new COVID-19 cases and three virus-related deaths.
Officials from the Ministry of Health and Prevention said the total number of cases since the pandemic began had reached 202,863. The death toll is 660.

It was also announced that 1,253 people had recovered from the virus in the past 24 hours. The total number of recoveries is 179,925.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, announced the emirate would extend tourist visas to all visitors for an additional month without any government fees, given that some countries temporarily closed their airports and restricted entry and exit.

Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/1784141/middle-east.

 

[sweep_shot]

Coronavirus Recoveries in Iran Above 960,000

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – More than 960,000 coronavirus positive cases have recovered from the infectious disease in Iran as of Monday, the Health Ministry said.
Speaking at a daily press conference in Tehran, Health Ministry Spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said at least 960,751 patients have recovered from the coronavirus infection so far or have been discharged from hospitals across the country.

She also put the death toll from the novel coronavirus at 54,814, saying the disease has taken the lives of 121 patients over the past 24 hours.

The number of people tested positive for COVID-19 infection in Iran has exceeded 1,206,000 following the detection of 5,908 new cases since Sunday noon, the spokeswoman added.

Among those undergoing treatment in medical centers at present, 5,174 patients have critical health conditions because of more severe infection, Lari noted.

She went on to say that more than 7,460,000 coronavirus diagnostic tests have been carried out in Iran so far.

The number of people infected with COVID-19 across the world has surpassed 81 million and the death toll has exceeded 1.77 million.

Source: https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/12/28/2419907/coronavirus-recoveries-in-iran-above-960-000.

 

[sweep_shot]

Saudi Extends Passenger Flights Ban By Another Week Over New Virus Strain

Saudi Arabia will however allow flights in "exceptional cases", an interior ministry official said according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Sunday.

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has extended its suspension of commercial passenger flights by at least one week and possibly two amid concerns over a new variant of the coronavirus.
Saudi Arabia will however allow flights in "exceptional cases", an interior ministry official said according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Sunday.

Foreigners will be allowed to depart the kingdom and cargo movement will be permitted, it added.

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman suspended passenger flights and banned entry and exit via their land and sea borders last week after a new strain of the novel coronavirus appeared in Britain.

Oman and Kuwait said they plan to lift the ban on December 29 and January 1, respectively.

"Saudi Arabia decided to extend the aforementioned measures for another week to continue assessing the situation and to ensure safety of citizens and expatriates," said the SPA report.

Earlier this month, the kingdom kicked off a Covid-19 vaccination campaign, using the Pfizer-BioNTech jab.

Saudi Arabia has so far recorded more than 362,000 cases, including more than 6,000 deaths -- the highest among the Gulf Arab states -- but has also reported a high recovery rate.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/sau...ther-week-over-new-coronavirus-strain-2344497.

 

[sweep_shot]

Jordan records 23 deaths and 1,645 new coronavirus cases

Jordan has recorded 23 deaths and 1,645 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the crisis to 291,393.

The death toll has risen to 3,801.

The cases are:

595 in Amman
398 in Irbid, including 71 in Ramtha
151 in Mafraq
79 in Karak
73 in Ajloun
42 in Aqaba
22 in Tafilah
109 in Zarqa
78 in Balqa
43 in Madaba
37 in Jerash
18 in Ma'an, including two in Petra
A total of 91 cases have been admitted to the hospitals, and 97 have been discharged upon recovery.

There are a total of 20,970 active COVID-19 cases.

A total of 2,561 recoveries have been recorded from hospitals and home quarantine, bringing the total amount of recoveries since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis to 266,622.

There are 774 patients receiving treatment in hospitals.

A total of 21,735 PCR tests have been conducted, bringing the total number of tests conducted since the beginning of the crisis to 3,126,192.

Tuesday, 7.57 percent of PCR tests have come back positive.

Source: https://en.royanews.tv/news/24492/2020-12-29.

 

[sweep_shot]

Iran reports 6,108 new COVID-19 cases, 1,212,481 in total

TEHRAN, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Iranian health authorities announced on Tuesday 6,108 new COVID-19 infections, raising the overall count in the country to 1,212,481, official news agency IRNA reported.

Of the newly infected in the past 24 hours, 815 required hospitalization, the spokeswoman for Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education Sima Sadat Lari said at her daily briefing.

And 132 deaths related to the coronavirus were registered between Monday and Tuesday, she said, raising the death toll from the virus to 54,946 in the country.

While 969,408 COVID-19 patients have recovered or been released from Iranian hospitals by now, 5,128 others are currently in critical condition, according to the spokeswoman.

Sadat Lari noted 7,513,534 tests for COVID-19 have so far been carried out in Iran.

She added that 108 counties are on "orange" alert for a medium level of infection risk, and 340 others at low risk.

Iran announced its first cases of COVID-19 on Feb. 19.

Source: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-12/29/c_139627430.htm.

 

[sweep_shot]

Coronavirus in Palestine claims 19 deaths and 1149 new cases – Health Minister

RAMALLAH, Tuesday, December 29, 2020 (WAFA) – The West Bank and Gaza Strip recorded 19 deaths due to coronavirus and 1149 new cases, while 2155 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours, today said Minister of Health Mai Alkaila in her daily report on coronavirus in Palestine. No data was available from East Jerusalem.

She said that 13 of the deaths, 607 new cases, and 1360 recoveries were in the West Bank, while six deaths, 542 new cases, and 795 recoveries were in the Gaza Strip.

Ramallah had the highest number of new cases in the West Bank with 161 cases recorded in the last 24 hours, followed by Nablus with 82 cases, Tulkarm 82 also, Jenin 65, Hebron 61, and Bethlehem 43.

Alkaila said 127 patients remain in intensive care, including 30 who are on ventilators.

Source: https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/122652.

 

[sweep_shot]

70 new coronavirus cases, 2 deaths reported in Oman

Muscat: The Ministry of Health has registered 70 new coronavirus cases and 2 deaths in Oman.

The total cases in the country have now touched 128633 including 121356 recoveries and 1497 deaths, according to MOH.

In the past 24 hours, 174 recoveries were reported.

The ministry urged everyone to adhere to social distancing instructions issued by the Supreme Committee and the MOH.

Source: https://timesofoman.com/article/70-new-coronavirus-cases-2-deaths-reported-in-oman.

 

[sweep_shot]

UAE Reports 1,506 Coronavirus Cases, Most Since Late October

(Bloomberg) -- The United Arab Emirates reported 1,506 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, the most since late October and among the highest daily infections since the start of the outbreak.

The UAE had reported 1,027 cases on Monday and 944 on Sunday. The country has one of the highest testing rates relative to population and conducted more than 153,000 tests over the past 24 hours.

Here’s a breakdown of the highest number of daily cases:

The Gulf nation has registered the vaccine developed by Sinopharm unit China National Biotec Group as well as Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE’s shot, and has started rolling them out for public use.

Abu Dhabi and Dubai, sheikhdoms within the UAE, have lifted several Covid-related restrictions and reopened their doors to tourism. The country kicked off a campaign to encourage local tourism and promote its desert winter, as it tries to recover from the impact of the pandemic.

UAE Looks to Domestic Tourism, Desert Winter to Boost Revenue

Source: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/uae-reports-1-506-coronavirus-cases-most-since-late-october-1.1541907.

 

[sweep_shot]

Jordan records 14 deaths and 1,674 new coronavirus cases

Jordan has recorded 14 deaths and 1,674 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the crisis to 293,067.

The death toll has risen to 3,815.

The cases are:

-534 in Amman

-594 in Irbid, including 64 in Ramtha

-104 in Balqa

-66 in Karak

-61 in Mafraq

-35 in Madaba

-20 in Tafilah

-102 in Zarqa

-62 in Ajloun

-52 in Jerash

-28 in Aqaba

-16 in Ma'an, including two in Petra

A total of 85 cases have been admitted to the hospitals, and 111 have been discharged upon recovery.

There are a total of 20,409 active COVID-19 cases.

A total of 2,221 recoveries have been recorded from hospitals and home quarantine, bringing the total amount of recoveries since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis to 268,843.

There are 640 patients receiving treatment in hospitals.

A total of 25,933 PCR tests have been conducted, bringing the total number of tests conducted since the beginning of the crisis to 3,152,125.

Wednesday, 6.46 percent of PCR tests have come back positive.

Source: https://en.royanews.tv/news/24508/2020-12-30.

 

[sweep_shot]

UAE records over 1,700 new coronavirus cases

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Health and Prevention confirmed 1,723 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, state news agency WAM reported.

The new cases were detected after the ministry conducted 150,244 COVID-19 tests in the past 24 hours and increased the total of infected people since the start of the pandemic to 206,092, the agency added.
The ministry has also confirmed 1,607 more recoveries and three additional fatalities, increasing the total number of recovered patients to 183,007 and the death toll to 665.

‏On Tuesday, the UAE discovered a “limited number” of cases of people infected with the new coronavirus variant in the country, the first confirmed cases of a more contagious COVID-19 mutant in the Gulf region.

The official government spokesman Omar Al-Hammadi said at a press briefing on Tuesday that those affected had traveled from abroad, without specifying where or the number of the cases.

“In light of the emergence of the new emerging strain of the coronavirus in Britain, and in conjunction with the continuous investigations by the health sector, it has been proven that there are limited cases in the country and received from abroad,” he said.

Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/1784936/middle-east.

 

[sweep_shot]

COVID-19 Updates in Iran: Over 6,200 New Cases Detected

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The total number of people infected with the coronavirus in Iran exceeded 1,218,000 after the detection of over 6,200 new patients in the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry announced on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference, Health Ministry Spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said 6,272 new COVID-19 cases were identified in the country in the past 24 hours.

She also put the death toll from the pandemic in Iran at 55,095, saying 149 patients have died since yesterday.

At least 978,714 patients have recovered from the coronavirus infection so far or have been discharged from hospitals across the country, the spokeswoman noted.

Among those undergoing treatment in medical centers at present, 5,087 patients have critical health conditions because of more severe infection, Lari noted.

More than 7,566,000 coronavirus diagnostic tests have been carried out in Iran so far, she said.

The number of people infected with COVID-19 across the world has surpassed 82 million and the death toll is about to hit 1.8 million.

Source: https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/...updates-in-iran-over-6-200-new-cases-detected.

 

[sweep_shot]

86 new coronavirus cases, zero deaths reported in Oman

Muscat: The Ministry of Health has registered 86 new coronavirus cases and zero deaths in Oman.

The total cases in the country have now touched 128719 including 121614 recoveries and 1497 deaths, according to MOH.

In the past 24 hours, 258 recoveries were reported.

The ministry urged everyone to adhere to social distancing instructions issued by the Supreme Committee and the MOH.

Source: https://timesofoman.com/article/86-new-coronavirus-cases-zero-deaths-reported-in-oman.

 

[sweep_shot]

Palestine records 21 deaths and 1,539 new coronavirus cases

Palestine recorded 21 deaths and 1,539 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, announced the Palestinian Minister of Health Mai al-Kaila Wednesday.

The new deaths involved 10 in the West Bank (one in Tulkarem; two in Nablus; four in Jenin; three in Hebron), 10 in the Gaza Strip and one in Jerusalem City.

The recovery rate in Palestine stands at 84.8 percent, while the active case rate is 14.2 percent and the death rate is one percent.

The new coronavirus cases included 15 in Tubas; 61 in Tulkarem; 30 in the suburbs of Jerusalem; 16 in Qalqilya; 31 in Salfit; 134 in Ramallah; 59 in Nablus; 74 in Jenin; 79 in Hebron; 50 in Bethlehem; 17 in Jericho; 262 in Jerusalem City and 711 in Gaza Strip.

The recovery cases included 28 in Tubas; 77 in Tulkarem; 18 in Qalqilya; 35 in Salfit; 209 in Ramallah; 336 in Nablus; 167 in Jenin; 171 in Hebron; nine in Jericho; 310 Jerusalem City and 995 in Gaza Strip.

Currently, 113 people are in the Intensive Care Unit and 27 are on ventilators.

A total of 4,936 PCR tests were conducted Wednesday.

Source: https://en.royanews.tv/news/24506/Palestine-records-21-deaths-and-1-539-new-coronavirus-cases.

 

[sweep_shot]

Coronavirus: UAE reports 1,730 Covid-19 cases, 1,435 recoveries

More than 20.8 million Covid-19 tests have been carried out in the UAE so far.
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Wednesday reported 1,730 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 1,435 recoveries.

Four deaths were also reported.

As many as 146,721 tests were carried out throughout the country, taking the total number of tests to more than 20.8 million so far.

Medics in the country have urged residents to stay calm and committed to following hygiene protocols, with the emergence of a new strain of Covid-19. The UAE had announced on Tuesday that it had detected a "limited number" of cases of the new strain in passengers who had travelled to the country from abroad.

Following a slight increase in the number of cases in the country, Dr Saif Al Dhaheri, spokesperson of the NCEMA, on Wednesday warned that hefty fines will be slapped on anyone violating safety regulations during New Year's Eve celebrations.

Meanwhile, schools across the country are preparing to welcome students back for the new academic term with a blend of on-site and online learning models. All students in the Capital will have distance learning for the first two weeks after schools reopen, while in Dubai, the KHDA announced that schools would reopen "as usual". Private schools in Sharjah are giving parents the option to choose the learning mode for their children.

Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/corona...e-reports-1730-covid-19-cases-1435-recoveries.

 

[sweep_shot]

148 new coronavirus cases, 2 deaths reported in Oman

Muscat: The Ministry of Health has registered 148 new coronavirus cases and 2 deaths in Oman.

The total cases in the country have now touched 128867 including 121890 recoveries and 1499 deaths, according to MOH.

In the past 24 hours, 276 recoveries were reported.

The ministry urged everyone to adhere to social distancing instructions issued by the Supreme Committee and the MOH.

Source: https://timesofoman.com/article/148-new-coronavirus-cases-2-deaths-reported-in-oman.

 

[sweep_shot]

Coronavirus claims 29 Palestinian lives, infects 1268 new cases in 24 hours in the West Bank and Gaza

RAMALLAH, Thursday, December 31, 2020 (WAFA) – Coronavirus claimed the lives of 29 Palestinians in the last 24 hours in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and infected 1268 new people, while 2056 patients have recovered, today said Minister of Health Mai Alkaila. No data was available from East Jerusalem.

She said in her daily report on coronavirus in Palestine that 15 of the deaths were in the Gaza Strip, which recorded 708 new cases and 990 recoveries, and 14 deaths were in the West Bank, which recorded 560 new cases and 1066 recoveries.

Ramallah district still records the highest number of new cases in the West Bank with 135 cases, followed by Nablus 80 cases, Tulkarm 79, Jenin 65, Hebron 62, and Bethlehem 49.

Alkaila said 118 COVID-19 patients are getting treatment in intensive care units, among them 28 are on ventilators.

She also said that the recovery rate since the start of the pandemic in Palestine in March is 85.5 percent, while 13.5 percent are still active, and 1 percent have died.

Source: https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/122673.

 

[sweep_shot]

Coronavirus in Iran: Daily Death Toll Stands at 128

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The number of patients who have died of the coronavirus infection in Iran over the past 24 hours has reached 128, the Health Ministry said.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Health Ministry Spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari put the death toll from COVID-19 in Iran at 55,223, saying the disease has taken the lives of 128 patients over the past 24 hours.

She said the total number of people tested positive for COVID-19 in the country has exceeded 1,225,000 following the detection of 6,390 new cases since yesterday.

Of the new cases detected since Wednesday, 702 patients have been admitted to the hospital, she added.

At least 988,838 patients have recovered from the coronavirus infection so far or have been discharged from hospitals across Iran, the spokeswoman said.

Among those undergoing treatment in medical centers at present, 5,039 coronavirus patients have critical health conditions because of more severe infection, Lari noted.

She further said more than 7,620,000 coronavirus diagnostic tests have been carried out in Iran so far.

The number of people infected with COVID-19 across the world has surpassed 83 million and the death toll is over 1.81 million.

Source: https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/...avirus-in-iran-daily-death-toll-stands-at-128.

 

[sweep_shot]

Jordan records 19 deaths and 1,427 coronavirus cases

Jordan has recorded 19 deaths and 1,427 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the crisis to 294,494.

The death toll has risen to 3,834.

The cases are:

-473 in Amman

-330 in Irbid, including 50 in Ramtha

-124 in Zarqa

-130 in Mafraq

-88 in Balqa

-63 in Karak

-36 in Aqaba

-16 in Tafilah

-67 in Madaba

-48 in Ajloun

-36 in Jerash

-16 in Ma'an, including four in Petra

A total of 113 cases have been admitted to the hospitals, and 87 have been discharged upon recovery.

There are a total of 20,109 active COVID-19 cases.

A total of 1,708 recoveries have been recorded from hospitals and home quarantine, bringing the total amount of recoveries since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis to 270,551.

There are 732 patients receiving treatment in hospitals.

A total of 23,430 PCR tests have been conducted, bringing the total number of tests conducted since the beginning of the crisis to 3,175,555.

Thursday, 6.09 percent of PCR tests have come back positive.

Source: https://en.royanews.tv/news/24530/Jordan-records-19-deaths-and-1-427-coronavirus-cases.

 

[sweep_shot]

Muscat: More than ten people have been punished for violating the decisions of the Supreme Committee in charge to deal with COVID-19.

A statement issued online by Public Prosecution said: ”On Monday December 28, 2020, a court of first instance in South Al Batinah Governorate issued a ruling against twelve violators of the decisions of the Supreme Committee in charge to deal with the Coronavirus due to violated the decision to prevent the gathering and ruled to punish them with a fine of 1,000 OMR while deporting two foreign accused from the country.”

Source: https://timesofoman.com/article/rul...lve-for-violating-supreme-committee-decisions.

 

[sweep_shot]

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Health Ministry said on Friday that the country's death toll from the coronavirus has surpassed 55,300.
Health Ministry Spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari told state TV that 6,286 new cases were identified over the past 24 hours, bringing the country’s total number of identified cases to 1,231,429.

She added that the total death toll from the viral infection had reached 54,337 with 114 new deaths.

Lari said 5,013 coronavirus patients are in critical condition.

She also put the number of those who have so far recovered from the viral infection at 995,570.

The number of people infected with COVID-19 across the world has surpassed 83.8 million and the death toll has exceeded 1.82 million.

Source: https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2021/01/01/2422678/iran-sees-decrease-in-daily-coronavirus-deaths.

 

[sweep_shot]

Palestine: 18 deaths, 1,450 new COVID-19 cases

(MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) RAMALLAH, Jan 1 (KUNA) -- The Palestinian health ministry on Friday registered 18 deaths due to COVID-19 and 1,450 new infection cases, while 2,088 people recovered during the past 24 hours.
It added that 116 patients are still in intensive care, including 25 who are on respiratory machines.

Source: https://menafn.com/1101370917/Pales...d:+menafn/MeTopEN+(News:+World+-+Top+English).

 

[sweep_shot]

Coronavirus: UAE reports 1,856 Covid-19 cases, 1,577 recoveries, 2 deaths

More than 21 million Covid-19 tests have been carried out in the UAE so far.

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Monday reported 1,856 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 1,577 recoveries.

Two deaths were also reported. As many as new 145,163 Covid-19 tests were carried out, taking the total number of tests carried out in the country to more than 21 million so far.

Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/corona...-1856-covid-19-cases-1577-recoveries-2-deaths.

 

[sweep_shot]

Jordan has recorded 17 deaths and 1,271 new COVID-19 cases Friday, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the crisis to 295,765.

The death toll has risen to 3,851.

Source: https://en.royanews.tv/news/24543/2021-01-01.

 

[sweep_shot]

Jordan records 26 deaths and 903 new coronavirus cases

Jordan has recorded 26 deaths and 903 new COVID-19 cases Saturday, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the crisis to 296,668.

The death toll has risen to 3,877.

The cases are:

-300 in Amman

-351 in Irbid, including 13 in Ramtha

-84 in Balqa

-29 in Jerash

-20 in Mafraq

- one in Ma'an

-32 in Ajloun

-27 in Karak

-22 in Madaba

-10 in Aqaba

- zero in Tafilah

A total of 80 cases have been admitted to the hospitals, and 53 have been discharged upon recovery.

There are a total of 18,805 active COVID-19 cases.

A total of 2,152 recoveries have been recorded from hospitals and home quarantine, bringing the total amount of recoveries since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis to 273,986.

There are 686 patients receiving treatment in hospitals.

A total of 14,498 PCR tests have been conducted, bringing the total number of tests conducted since the beginning of the crisis to 3,175,555.

Saturday, 6.23 percent of PCR tests have come back positive.

Source: https://en.royanews.tv/news/24563/Jordan-records-26-deaths-and-903-new-coronavirus-cases.

 

[sweep_shot]

Coronavirus: UAE reports 1,963 Covid-19 cases, 2,081 recoveries, 3 deaths

The country has conducted more than 21 million tests so far.
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Saturday reported 1,963 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 2,081 recoveries and 3 deaths.

As many as 152,588 new Covid-19 tests were carried out, taking the total number of tests carried out in the country to more than 21 million so far.

The total number of cases in UAE as on January 2, 2021, stand at 211,641while total recoveries are 188,100. Death toll rises to 674.

Number of active cases in the country stand at 22,867.

MoHAP recently announced that the Chinese Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine was now available at all medical centres in the UAE.

Those aged 18 years and older can take the jab. The vaccine is especially important for the elderly and those with chronic diseases, the Ministry of Health and Prevention said.

Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/corona...-uae-reports-covid-19-cases-recoveries-deaths.

 

[sweep_shot]

Coronavirus in Palestine: 25 deaths, 1064 new cases, and 1477 recoveries in 24 hours

RAMALLAH, Saturday, January 02, 2021 (WAFA) – Minister of Health Mai Alkaila said today that 25 Palestinians have died of coronavirus in the last 24 hours in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, 1064 new cases were recorded, and 1477 have recovered. No data was available from East Jerusalem.

She said in her daily report on coronavirus in Palestine that 14 of the deaths were in the West Bank and 11 in the Gaza Strip.

The West Bank had 360 new cases, a drop from the previous average, and 917 recoveries, while the Gaza Strip had 704 new cases and 560 recoveries.

Ramallah remains at top of new cases in the West Bank with 102 cases, followed by Jenin 55, Tulkarm 43, Nablus 42, Bethlehem 29, and Hebron 25.

Alkaila said 119 patients are getting treatment in intensive care, among them 27 are on ventilators.

The rate of recoveries is currently 86.4 percent of the total cases recorded since the outbreak in Palestine in March, 12.6 percent remain active, and 1 percent have died.

Source: https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/122697.

 

[sweep_shot]

Jordan has recorded 26 deaths and 1,540 new COVID-19 cases Sunday, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the crisis to 298,208.

The death toll has risen to 3,903.

The cases are:

-559 in Amman

-513 in Irbid, including 73 in Ramtha

-104 in Mafraq

-64 in Zarqa

-41 in Ajloun

-36 in Madaba

-22 in Tafilah

-75 in Balqa

-53 in Jerash

-37 in Karak

-26 in Aqaba

-10 in Ma'an, including three in Petra

A total of 86 cases have been admitted to the hospitals, and 85 have been discharged upon recovery.

There are a total of 17,820 active COVID-19 cases.

A total of 2,499 recoveries have been recorded from hospitals and home quarantine, bringing the total amount of recoveries since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis to 276,485.

There are 657 patients receiving treatment in hospitals.

A total of 20,893 PCR tests have been conducted, bringing the total number of tests conducted since the beginning of the crisis to 3,232,259.

Sunday, 7.37 percent of PCR tests have come back positive.

Source: https://en.royanews.tv/news/24581/Jordan-records-26-deaths-and-1-540-new-coronavirus-cases.

 

[sweep_shot]

The United Arab Emirates on Sunday reported 1,590 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of cases to 213,231, according to Emirates News Agency (WAM).

Source: https://english.alarabiya.net/en/co...-UAE-reports-1-590-COVID-19-cases-five-deaths.

 

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TEHRAN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Health Ministry reported 5,960 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, raising the total nationwide number to 1,243,434.

The pandemic has so far claimed 55,540 lives in Iran, up by 102 in the past 24 hours, said Sima Sadat Lari, spokeswoman for the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, during her daily briefing.

Of the newly infected, 497 were hospitalized, added Lari.

A total of 1,013,018 people have recovered from the disease and been discharged from hospitals, while 4,953 remain in intensive care units, she noted.

According to the spokeswoman, 7,777,488 tests for the virus have been carried out in Iran as of Sunday.

Iran announced its first cases of COVID-19 on Feb. 19, 2020.

Iran and China offered mutual help in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

In mid-February of 2020, at the early stage of the coronavirus outbreak in China, Iran lit up the Tehran Azadi (Liberty) Tower to show its solidarity with China, and donated 3 million masks to China. Later on Feb. 29, a five-member Chinese medical team visited Iran for a month-long mission to help Iran fight the pandemic.

Source: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-01/03/c_139638447.htm.

 

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RAMALLAH, Sunday, January 03, 2021 (WAFA) – Minister of Health Mai Alkaila said today that 31 people have died of COVID-19 during the last 24 hours across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. In addition, 1155 new infections and 1419 recoveries were recorded.

She said in her daily report on the coronavirus pandemic in Palestine that 17 of the deaths were in the West Bank, seven in the Gaza Strip, and seven more in occupied Jerusalem.

The West Bank had 532 new cases and 880 recoveries, while the Gaza Strip had 409 new cases and 280 recoveries.

In the West Bank, Ramallah remains at top of new cases with 116 cases, followed by Hebron (86), Jenin (79), Nablus (70), Bethlehem (60), and Tulkarm (48), Tubas (20), Salfit (19), the West Bank side of the Jerusalem Governorate (17), Jericho (8), and Qalqilia (7).

The rate of recoveries is currently 86.7 percent of the total cases recorded since the outbreak of the pandemic in Palestine in March 2020. Active cases reached 12.3 percent, while death rate stood at 1 percent.

Alkaila said 124 patients are getting treatment in intensive care units, of whom 26 are on ventilators.

Source: https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/122712.

 

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Muscat: The Ministry of Health has registered 537 new coronavirus cases and 2 deaths in Oman in the past three days.

The total cases in the country have now touched 129404 including 122266 recoveries and 1501 deaths, according to MOH.

In the past three days, 376 recoveries were reported.

The ministry urged everyone to adhere to social distancing instructions issued by the Supreme Committee and the MOH.

Source: https://timesofoman.com/article/537-new-coronavirus-cases-2-deaths-reported-in-oman.

 

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RAMALLAH, Monday, January 4, 2021 (WAFA) – Palestine today recorded 1,009 new Covid-19 cases and 20 deaths, according to Health Minister Mai al-Kaileh.

Al-Kaileh announced that 1,009 Palestinians tested positive for the highly contagious virus and 20 others died of it in the occupied territories.

Among the new 1,009 cases, 648 cases were confirmed in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and 361 others in the besieged Gaza Strip.

In the West Bank, Ramallah remains at top of new cases with 158 cases, followed by Hebron (108), Nablus (105), Tulkarm (71), Jenin (58), Bethlehem (44), Jerusalem suburbs (45), Tubas (22), Qalqilia (18), Salfit (12) and Jericho (7).

Al-Kaileh identified the 20 deaths as 15 death cases from the West Bank and five others from the Gaza Strip. The West Bank deaths were distributed as follows: one in Qalqilia, seven in Hebron, three in Nablus, one in Jenin and three in Ramallah.

She said that 1,413 Covid-19 patients recovered in the occupied territories; 903 recovery cases in the West Bank and 510 others in the Gaza Strip, as 113 others are hospitalized in intensive care units, including 23 who are connected to ventilators.

According to the latest coronavirus data, the confirmed cases in the occupied territories (West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza) reached 160,043.

Out of the 160,043 cases, 99,490 are recorded in the West Bank, 42,738 in the Gaza Strip and 17,815 in East Jerusalem.

Recoveries have totaled 139,215, and the death toll reached 1,629, leaving a total of 19,199 active cases.

Recoveries account for 87.0 percent of total cases since the pandemic outbreak in March, active cases for 12.0 percent and the death toll accounts for 1.0 percent.

Source: https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/122726.

 

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The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Monday reported 1,501 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 1,746 recoveries. Three deaths were also reported.

As many as new 116,687 Covid-19 tests were carried out, taking the total number of tests carried out in the country to more than 21.3 million so far.

Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/corona...-1501-covid-19-cases-1746-recoveries-3-deaths.

 

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Jordan has recorded 16 deaths and 1,623 new COVID-19 cases Monday, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the crisis to 299,831.

The death toll has risen to 3,919.

Source: https://en.royanews.tv/news/24607/2021-01-04.