Friday, The Minister of Health, Feras Al-Hawari, attributed the fluctuation of the daily positivity rates of PCR tests during Ramadan to the decrease in daily testing, indicating that the tests that are conducted are being limited to only those who have knowingly come into contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients.

Therefore, positivity rates are likely higher, said Hawari.

Moreover, he stressed that the demand for conducting testing has witnessed a decrease recently, explaining that this is due to the fewer working hours during the holy month, and the misconception that the PCR test would cause those fasting to break their fast.

He pointed out that the Fatwa Department issued a fatwa stating that the PCR test does not invalidate the Ramadan fast.

Moreover, the ministry is waiting for the arrival of 270,000 doses of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine. The doses are set to arrive in two consecutive batches by the end of this month, said Hawari

Hawari confirmed that Jordan has administered the first dose of coronavirus vaccines to 600,000, and the ministry is working vaccinating groups according to priorities, noting that these groups differ from governorate to governorate.

The ministry is seeking to expand the vaccination campaign, he said.

He explained that the focus is currently being placed on the areas of the Golden Triangle in the vaccination campaign, noting that the ministry is training hundreds of its cadres on a weekly basis for the purpose of expanding the vaccination campaign.

The Golden Triangle is the name used to describe the areas of Wadi Rum, Aqaba and Petra.

He said that the virus in its original variant was weaker in intensity and infection strength than the mutated virus.

Additionally, Hawari indicated that virus mutations infect those under the age of 60 more, pointing out that the same applies to all countries of the world.

He added that the Kingdom receives Pfizer vaccines in fixed quantities on a weekly basis, pointing out that there will be an increase in the quantities that will reach Jordan from Pfizer during the month of May.

He noted that the ministry is seeking to vaccinate the largest possible number of citizens, adding that the ministry is currently able to vaccinate 50,000 to 60,000 people per day.

He stressed that the ministry has achieved during the past two weeks, a great development in the ability to vaccinate, while increasing the number of available cadres and teams deployed in all regions of the Kingdom.

He pointed out that the Drive thru service for COVID-19 vaccination shortens the time period to a third of what it usually takes for the traditional vaccination method in centers or hospitals.

In regards to the severity of the third wave of the virus, Hawari stressed that this depends on the ministry's ability to expand vaccination efforts, noting a significant decrease in the number of active infections.