56 COVID deaths, 3,108 infections recorded Saturday

AMMAN — Fifty-six COVID-19 deaths and 3,108 virus cases were recorded in the Kingdom on Saturday, increasing the caseload to 210,709, the government announced.

The reported fatalities took the Kingdom’s coronavirus death toll to 2,626, according to a joint statement issued by the Prime Ministry and the Ministry of Health.

The local cases comprised 1,089 infections in Amman, 86 in Zarqa, 755 in Irbid, including 166 in Ramtha District, 18 in Maan, including nine in Petra, 61 in Aqaba, 271 in Ajloun, 104 in Madaba, 160 in Balqa, 349 in Karak, 108 in Mafraq, 46 in Tafileh and 61 in Jerash.

A total of 173 COVID-19 patients were admitted to hospitals on Saturday, increasing the number of cases receiving treatment in hospitals to 1,985, of which 464 patients were in ICUs, the statement said, adding that 95 recovered patients left hospitals.

The statement also said that 2,373 people left hospitals and recovered in home quarantine, bringing the total number of recoveries to 142,710.

A total of 17,755 virus tests were also conducted on Saturday, bringing the cumulative number of coronavirus tests administered to 2,505,316, with the share of tests returning a positive result, known as positive rate, standing at 17.5 per cent, the statement added.

Amid the growing number of local infections, the Ministry of Health has renewed its call on the public to abide by defence orders, as well as to adhere to precautionary measures, mainly wearing face masks and avoiding holding gatherings that exceed 20 people.

The ministry also called on the public to follow its “I Protect Them” awareness campaign, which aims to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through increasing public commitment to preventive measures to protect individuals and their beloved ones.