Dubai: Oman has reported an alarming increase in the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit, local media reported. According to Dr. Ahmed Al Saidi, Minister of Health, the number of patients in intensive care was 51 before January 21 and the number doubled two days ago to reach 102 patients. New virus variant The minister revealed that Oman has registered six cases of the new virus variant, adding that the Supreme Committee tasked with tackling COVID-19 has taken a number of precautionary measures to halt the spread of the genetic mutation of the virus, including the closure of borders and other measures that the country did not want to take, but had to as many people did not abide by the procedures.