The Minister of Health, Nathir Obeidat, expected that Jordanians will feel the impact of the gatherings, riots, rallies and celebrations which took place following the announcement of the results for the 19th parliamentary elections, around Monday or Tuesday.

 

 

During the opening of the Mouwasat Hospital for COVID-19 patients Saturday, Obeidat spoke to Roya saying that all capabilities are available in the hospital, including respirators and medicines used to treat coronavirus.

 

Obeidat added that the ministry is doing everything it can to increase the capabilities of hospitals, from adding regular beds or ICU spaces, in addition to increasing human capabilities to treat COVID-19 patients.

 

He indicated that the establishment of three field hospitals had begun in the north, central and south of Jordan.

 

The Assistant Secretary General of the Ministry of Health for Primary Health Care Affairs, Ghazi Sharkas said during his participation in the Roya program Dunya Ya Dunya, that the number of beds allocated to COVID-19 patients has been increased by 1,000 beds, and 200 beds in Intensive Care Units.

 

He added that 30 private hospitals are ready to receive people infected with coronavirus, including one hospital which was fully rented by the Ministry of Health.

 

Sharkas revealed that the field hospitals, which are being prepared to deal with people infected with the coronavirus, will open its doors within a month.

 

In regards to the COVID-19 vaccine and when it is expected in Jordan, Sharkas explains that the Ministry of Health had previously said that Jordan had contracted with the American company Pfizer, expecting the vaccine to arrive during the first two months of next year.

 

He said that there is a lack of chest disease specialists in the hospitals of the Ministry of Health, not to mention the dangers they are exposed to as a result of dealing with a large number of infected cases. 

 

A specialized ministry committee has begun to contact private sector specialist doctors, in order to obtain their services to combat the coronavirus crisis.

 

Sharkas stressed that the ministry condemns the celebrations and overcrowding that took place after the parliamentary elections, which may indicate the possibility of an increase in the number of cases after five to seven days.

 

He pointed out that the ministry is preparing for the potential drastic increase in infections in the coming days, and called on Jordanians to be careful and to avoid crowded areas and gatherings.

 

He indicated that the occupancy rate in hospitals is still within the safe range, with the occupancy of normal rooms being a little over 40 percent, ICU bed occupancy being at 55 percent, and respirators at 30 percent.

 

The criterion that determines entry into dangerous stages is when the occupancy rates, especially in the ICU, exceeds 80 percent, added Sharkas.