Monday, the Head of the National Center for Epidemics & Infectious Diseases, Firas Hawari, said that the COVID-19 curve is taking a very difficult path in the Kingdom.

He called for the cooperation of citizens to take preventive measures and receive COVID-19 vaccinations to relieve the great pressure on medical personnel, and to prevent the collapse of the health sector in Jordan.

Monday, Jordan recorded 82 deaths and 9,417 new coronavirus infections, the highest daily count ever recorded, bringing the total number of deaths to 5,428 deaths and 486,470 infections since the start of the pandemic.

The percentage of positive examinations reached nearly 19.36 percent, compared with 18.79 percent Sunday. Monday, 48,638 PCR tests were conducted, bringing the total number of PCR tests to 5,223,283 since the start of the pandemic.

He warned that this new COVID-19 wave in the Kingdom is witnessing increased hospital admissions from younger patients, stressing that hospital occupancy rates are high.

Hawari stated that the curve has begun taking a very difficult path, indicating that the reproductive number, or 'R-Naught' of the Kingdom is 2.5, in comparison to countries such as Britain and Italy, whose R-Naught rates are one and 1.6 respectively.

An R-Naught is a value that can be calculated for communicable diseases. It represents, on average, the number of people that a single infected person can be expected to transmit that disease to. In other words, it is a calculation of the average “spreadability” of an infectious disease.

He attributed the UK's rate to the demand of citizens there to receive vaccinations after the imposition of closures.

However in Jordan, there seems to be fear and hesitation in regards to inoculations, said Hawari.

"There is no scientific basis to it."

Recent news has shown several countries around the world suspending the AstraZeneca vaccine due to suspicions of it causing blood clots. 

On March 13, 144,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines arrived in Jordan.

"Many countries suspended the vaccine for two weeks but did not completely stop its use," Hawari said.

However, he stated that studies are launched when such suspicions are made. "Other countries completed their studies [on the vaccine], such as Finland, and Finland is known for its strong healthcare system and knowledge."

They completed and announced their studies which found that this vaccine has no relation to blood clots.

The World Health Organization confirmed these statements too.

"I predict that this is what is happening [in Jordan]," he added.