Oman has reported three confirmed cases of COVID-19 infected with mucormycosis, which is commonly known as “black fungus,” the country’s health ministry said in a statement on its Twitter account.

“The three cases are currently under treatment,” the ministry added in its statement.

Mucormycosis or “black fungus” is a complication caused by a fungal infection. People catch mucormycosis by coming in contact with the fungal spores in the environment. It can also develop on the skin after the fungus enters the skin through a cut, scrape, burn, or other types of skin trauma.

The discovery of mucormycosis cases comes as the surge in COVID-19 infections and virus-related deaths continues in the Sultanate.

On Tuesday, Oman’s health ministry recorded 2,126 new coronavirus cases and 33 fatalities, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases to 238,566 and virus-related deaths to 2,565.

The ministry added that 570 new cases have recovered, taking the total number of recoveries in the country to 212,064.

According to the ministry’s statement, 164 cases were hospitalized over the past 24 hours, as the total number of current hospitalized COVID-19-infected patients in the country stands at 1,247 and 374 out of them are in intensive care units (ICUs).

The ministry urged all citizens and residents to follow coronavirus preventive measures, especially wearing face masks, maintaining physical distance, regular hand washing, and avoiding gatherings.