The COVID-19 pandemic in Oman was a part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 () caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (). The virus was confirmed to have reached Oman on 24 February 2020 when two citizens tested positive for COVID-19 after returning from Iran. As of 21 August 2021, the total number of cases registered in the sultanate is 300,914, of which 289,450 have recovered and 4,020 have died. Initially, most of the cases and deaths occurred in the expatriate community. By July 2020, as the pandemic entered its fourth month in the country, most of the cases and deaths had occurred among the citizens.COVID-19 cases among expats crosses 11,000, Times of Oman, 9 June 202053 expats, 30 Omanis died due to COVID-19, The Arabian Stories, 10 June 2020
Muscat continues to be the most affected governorate with the highest number of confirmed cases at over 149,383 and 1,354 deaths, and accounted for 76% of the total cases in the country by early June 2020, with most of the cases being in the expatriate community.COVID-19: 79% of cases in Muscat are among expats, Times of Oman, 20 May 2020 On 10 April 2020, the entire governorate was put under lockdown until 22 April, this was extended twice, with the lockdown being lifted on 29 May.
Starting 13 June 2020, lockdowns were imposed in the governorate of Dhofar, the wilayat of Masirah, the wilayat of Duqm and the areas of Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams until 3 July 2020.Oman closes Dhofar Governorate, Masirah, Jabal Shams, Jabal Akhdar and Duqm, The Arabian Stories, 13 June 2020 Various national level lockdowns and movement bans have since been imposed over the course of the pandemic.
As per directives issued by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, COVID-19 tests and treatment were initially free for all communities of the sultanate, including expatriates. As of August 2021, Oman has vaccinated a total of 66% of its populations in terms of both first and second doses administered.
Background On 12 January, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, who had initially come to the attention of the WHO on 31 December 2019.
Unlike SARS of 2003, the case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower, but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.
Timeline
February 2020 On 24 February, the first two cases of COVID-19 were confirmed. These cases involved two Omani women who had returned from Iran. On 27 February, the number of cases in Oman increased to 6. The cases were also linked to recent travel to Iran.
March 2020 To prevent community infections, the country placed 2,367 people under quarantine in early March. Most of the people were under domestic quarantine while 49 were in institutional quarantine. By mid March, the total number of cases in the country were 22. On 16 March, the Royal Hospital in the capital stopped treatment services provided for routine non-emergency cases until further notice.
The total number of cases surged over 100 on 26 March, Dr. Mohammed bin Said Al Hosni, Undersecretary of Ministry of Health stated in an interview that the country had "entered the community transmission stage of coronavirus and we expect to see the numbers increase over the coming period." The government announced the same day that any individuals on a residency permit, visit, business or any short term visas need not worry about expiry-related issues. Due to the pandemic, they would not be subject to any fines or legal actions regarding overstaying in the country. On 28 March, 255 Omanis comprising students, tourists, and business people were airlifted from Jordan in two special planes to return home.255 stranded Omanis airlifted from Amman, Oman Observer, 28 March 2020
Two banks in the sultanate, Bank Dhofar and the National Bank of Oman each pledged a contribution of OMR 1 million in support of the health services fighting against the spread of the novel coronavirus in Oman in late March,BankDhofar contributes OMR1 million towards combating COVID-19, Times of Oman, 29 March 2020NBO pledges OMR1 million to combat COVID-19, Times of Oman, 29 March 2020 while Bank Nizwa pledged OMR 600,000 of which OMR 3000,000 was set aside for the Ministry of Health.Bank Nizwa pledges OMR600,000 to combat COVID-19, offers financial relief to clients, Oman Observer, 31 March 2020
By the end of the month, 7,646 suspect cases were put under home quarantine including citizens and expatriates, and the sultanate had registered a total of 192 confirmed cases with 34 recoveries and no deaths. The capital city, Muscat, remained the region with the highest number of cases with over 100 cases.13 new Covid-19 cases in Oman, 34 recovered, Oman Observer, 31 March 2020
April 2020 On 1 April, the first death due to coronavirus was recorded in the country. The patient was a 72-year-old Omani citizen in Muscat,Oman registers first coronavirus death, Times of Oman, 1 April 2020 and the number of confirmed cases in the country crossed over 200.MOH Statement No. (35) April 1, 2020 , Ministry of Health, 1 April 2020 Also on the day, Al Nahda Hospital in the capital, Muscat announced the suspension of all outpatient appointments and surgical appointments until further notice.Al Nahda Hospital to suspend outpatient appointments, Oman Observer, 1 April 2020 The wilayat of Muttrah was isolated from other parts of Muscat the same day due to a sharp increase in the number of cases. The Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF) and Royal Oman Police (ROP) started to enforce joint checkpoints on the roads linking the entrances and exits of the sultanate's governorates the same day.Movement between governorates restricted from today, Oman Observer, 1 April 2020 These were halted on 28 April.Checkpoints between governorates halted: ROP, Oman Observer, 29 April 2020
Muttrah became the worst affected wilayat (province) of the governorate and the country as it held 45% of the total confirmed cases of the country mostly due to local transmissions, and hence was isolated on 1 April 2020.
The Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) decided to implement e-learning on 2 April starting from 12 April.SQU to implement e-learning from April 12, Oman Observer, 2 April 2020 Oman LNG pledged RO6 million to support the national health sector and Ministry of Health to stem the pandemic in Oman on 5 April. A total of OMR 2 million of this was contributed to the fund set up by the Supreme Committee.Oman LNG pledges RO 6m to support COVID-19 efforts, Job Security Fund The same day, the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP), in coordination with commercial centers, launched an initiative called 'Sallat al Khair', aimed at helping families whose lives have been affected by the measures to combat COVID-19. Under the initiative, 19 different commodities to meet the basic weekly consumer needs were provided in one basket for OMR 9.Special grocery kit for families affected by Covid-19 measures, Oman Observer, 5 April 2020
The youngest patient in the country, a one-and-half-year-old baby boy recovered and was discharged from the hospital on 7 April. On 8 April, the total number of confirmed cases crossed 400. As most of them were in the capital city of Muscat, the Supreme Committee decided to put it under lockdown from 10 April to 22 April.COVID-19 Coronavirus update: Third death in Oman. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported the same day that around 3,000 Omani citizens had returned from various countries so far and another 600 are also to return soon.Covid-19: Nearly 3,000 citizens returned to Oman By the end of the 'return campaign' implemented as per directives of the Supreme Committee, a total of 3,746 willing Omanis were brought back from different countries. This marked the end of the campaign as the remaining Omanis abroad had preferred to stay in their respective host countries.
On 9 April, the Minister of Health, Dr Ahmed al Saeedi announced that as per directives issued by Sultan Haitham, COVID-19 tests and treatment were made absolutely free for all communities of the sultanate, including expatriates. It was also declared that no legal action would be taken for individuals whose visas or resident permits had expired. Mass testing was also started from 11 April. The tally reached 457 on the day and the Ministry of Health disclosed that the highest percentage of local transmission had occurred in Muttrah, with a total of 206 cases recorded in the district alone. The national tally crossed 500 on 11 April when 62 new confirmed cases were recorded. The total number of cases stood at 546.Oman announces 62 new coronavirus cases, total tally cross 500-mark, The Arabian Stories, 11 April 2020 The Ministry of Health reported on 14 April that it had successfully performed a procedure of convalescent plasma extraction and transfusion from people who had recovered from COVID-19 as a treatment option for the critically ill.Plasma treatment for COVID-19 patients in Oman, Muscat Daily, 14 April 2020Blood plasma transfusion therapy for Coronavirus sufferers now in Oman , Oman Observer, 14 April 2020
The total number of confirmed cases surged over 1,000 to 1,019 when 109 new cases were reported on 16 April.109 new cases confirmed; 97 expats, 12 Omanis test positive, total rises to 1,019, The Arabian Stories, 16 April 2020 Also on the day, the commercial market area adjoining the main hospital in the wilayat (province) of Jalan Bani Bu Ali in Ash Sharqiyah South Governorate was locked down until further notice after 12 cases were confirmed due to community transmission. The Minister of Health, Dr Ahmed al Saeedi stated the same day that the sultanate could reach the peak of the outbreak during late April where 500 cases per day would be expected. He also revealed that most of the cases were in the expatriate community at over 600 and that the current mortality rate of COVID-19 in the country was at 0.04%.'Oman to see 500 cases a day during virus outbreak peak', Oman Observer, 16 April 2020 Between 16 and 17 April, around 350 Pakistani prisoners in Oman were repatriated to Pakistan via special flights after the Sultan had pardoned them.Around 350 Pakistani prisoners repatriated, Times of Oman, 17 April 2020
86 new cases were confirmed on 19 April, most of these, 71, were expatriates. With this, the number of cases in Muscat crossed 1,000 and the total cases around the sultanate stood at 1,266. The Sultan's Armed Forces, with the help of the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), operated a number of navy ships to the Musandam Governorate for shipping fuel tankers as well as essential commodities and staple foods for the citizens and residents on 19 April.RNO ships essential commodities, fuel tankers to Musandam, Oman Observer, 19 April 2020
As the cases in Muscat grew over 1,100 in late April, the supreme committee extend the lockdown of the governorate until 8 May, while also declaring a nationwide ban on all social, sporting and cultural gatherings and activities during the month of Ramadan. The Ministry of Health reported that a total of 36,000 tests had been conducted by 27 April.Covid-19: Oman still on upward curve, but slow, Oman Observer, 27 April 2020