Health Ministry, RMS conducted 15,000 COVID-19 tests in 66 days — official figures

AMMAN — The Health Ministry, in cooperation with the Royal Medical Services (RMS), has conducted  a total of 15,000 coronavirus tests to date over the course of 66 days, at a cost of JD1 million.

Testing began at the beginning of February and has continued at a “high rate” with each test costing JD50, according to official figures, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Monday.

Spokesperson for the National Epidemiological Committee Nazir Obaidat on Monday said that the cost of testing is covered by the Health Ministry, noting that the 15 consulting physicians and specialists are providing services to coronavirus patients at King Abdullah University Hospital in Irbid and Prince Hamzah Hospital in Amman.

He pointed out that there are six respiratory specialists and three anaesthesia and ICU specialists at Prince Hamzah Hospital and six respiratory specialists and ICU specialists at King Abdullah University Hospital, along with 100 resident doctors at both hospitals working in shifts around-the-clock, among other staff.

The National Epidemiological Committee will conduct random testing in the areas that have not reported any infections or areas with low numbers of coronavirus cases. The tests, as well as hospital staff and Civil Defence Department personnel, are “the first line of defence” against the COVID-19 pandemic, Petra added.