The Head of the Coronavirus Portfolio at the Ministry of Health, Wael Al-Hayajneh, said Friday that Jordan has witnessed an increase in positive PCR tests, which necessitated the highest rates of entry into hospitals and Intensive Care Units. He said that there is an increase in the number of COVID-19 deaths, hoping that it would decrease in the coming weeks.

The world has entered another year of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Hayajneh.

"The virus still teaches us a lot, and we do not know much about it, as there is a global war on vaccines."

He pointed out that several other variables have led to the surge in COVID-19 cases, such as the prevalence of the British COVID-19 strain. Hayajneh stated that this mutation is  characterized by a great speed of spread, noting that this spread has become "clear" in Jordan and the world.

Hayajneh pointed out that laxity and lack of commitment to wearing a face mask and social distancing also contributed to the spread of the virus and its transmission in the Jordanian society.

He stressed the need to register to receive the coronavirus vaccine, adding that although the amount of available vaccines may be scarce now, they will not be scarce in the future, noting that the scarcity of vaccines is a worldwide issue.

Hayajneh confirmed that the Ministry of Health has the ability to vaccinate at least 18,000 people per day in Jordan.

However, the ministry said in statements Wednesday that Jordan has the capacity to vaccinate 20,300 people per day.

He indicated that new dates will be set for those who missed the date of the first dose next week, indicating that a study conducted by the Ministry of Health showed that 60 percent of those who missed the appointment want a new date and are ready to receive the vaccine.

He pointed out that the World Health Organization (WHO) said that it is unnecessary to conduct an antibody test, adding that "no one is required, and it is one of the arms of immunity, but not all."