COVID-19: Oman converts airport into hospital for patients

Cairo: Construction work is under way to turn the departure building of the old airport in the Omani capital Muscat into a hospital for taking in COVID-19 patients, according to the Omani newspaper Al Watan.

Well-equipped mobile rooms have been set up in the building that has been readjusted to comply with health requirements to treat the COVID-19 patients, the report said.

The conversion step aims at easing pressure on health institutions in Oman amid fears of a further spike in virus cases and a second wave of infections.

The departure terminal at the old airport has an easy access from an opposite bridge and is located in the vicinity of the entrance to Muscat. The facility, which has several car parking lots, can also take in patients from other provinces of the sultanate.

Last week, Oman reported an increase in virus cases compared to the week before.

On Saturday, the Omani Health Ministry announced that the country’s total infections have risen to 93,475, marking an increase of 1,722 cases against the last tally reported on Thursday.

Total deaths from COVID-19 have, meanwhile, reached 846 in Oman, with 28 more fatalities since Thursday.