Friday lockdown reduces number of COVID-19 cases by 37 percent: Obeidat

Jordan

Published: 2021-03-02 19:01

Last Updated: 2024-03-18 08:53


Friday lockdown reduces number of COVID-19 cases by 37 percent: Obeidat
Friday lockdown reduces number of COVID-19 cases by 37 percent: Obeidat

Tuesday, the Minister of Health Nathir Obeidat and the Director of the Coronavirus Crisis Cell Mazen Al-Faraya held a press conference at the Prime Ministry to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the Kingdom and the national vaccination campaign.

Obeidat said that the Friday lockdown reduces the number of coronavirus cases by 37 percent and deaths by about 35 percent.

He added that a slight increase is expected in the number of COVID-19 cases in Jordan.

The British COVID-19 strain has become the predominant mutation in Jordan, especially in Amman, he added.

Regarding the COVID-19 vaccines, Obeidat stressed that providing coronavirus vaccines is 'extremely' difficult, adding that Jordan has made an agreement with Pfizer-BioNTech for 2.2 million doses of the vaccines, and an agreement with an undisclosed manufacturer for an additional 2.3 million doses.

Additionally, two million doses are set to arrive in the Kingdom through COVAX this month.

He added that 194,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine are also set to arrive in Jordan soon.

Jordan will also receive an additional 41,000 doses next month through another undisclosed manufacturer.

Obeidat stressed the need to abide by health and safety measures to limit the spread of the virus.

Faraya said a total of 419,405 people have registered for vaccination on the official platform, noting that 107,615 received one dose of the vaccine and 40,281 received both doses.

He added that currently Jordan has the capacity to vaccinate 20,000 people.

The Kingdom has 11,628 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 3,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine.

He noted that no deaths were recorded as a result of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, stressing that 85 percent of coronavirus deaths in Jordan are among those aged over 55.

He said the government will contact those 60 and over who registered for vaccinations but missed their appointments.

He warned against circulating rumors related to COVID-19 vaccines.

Faraya lastly added that there are no decisions regarding imposing a total lockdown for long periods.