MUSCAT — One more patient has succumbed to coronavirus in Oman, bringing the total number of deaths from the pathogen in the Sultanate to five, the country’s health ministry said in a statement carried by state news agency ONA on Friday.

The ministry also announced 50 new cases of the COVID-19, raising the total number of infections in the Sultanate to 1,069.

Among the newly detected cases, there are 26 Omani citizens and 24 expatriates, the ministry explained.

Meanwhile, a total of 176 patients have so far recovered from the deadly virus, the ministry added.

The ministry called upon people to strictly adhere to all the regulations and guidelines issued by the competent authorities with regard to social distancing and self-isolation. It also urged them to regularly clean their hands with soap and water, avoid touching face, nose, mouth, and eyes, and follow healthy habits while sneezing and coughing and not to leave homes except for absolute necessity.

On Thursday, Oman’s Health Minister Dr. Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al-Saidi said that he expected the country's rate of new coronavirus cases to peak at 500 cases per day between April 23 and 30.

He added that the number of infected cases is still on the rise, however, it is gradual and is less than global levels.

“With our commitment to health isolation and social distancing, we will prevent ourselves, our families, and our community from the spread of coronavirus,” the ministry of health said in a statement. — SG