Within the framework of the transparency approach adopted by the MOH in dealing with all mass media, emanating from the will to update citizens and residents with any news of medical information or any epidemic infectious diseases that might be of any concern to the society; the Ministry of Health has announced the death of a citizen infected with coronavirus in one of the hospitals in Qassim. Once the case was suspected, a sample was taken and tested in the Kingdom's laboratories. Also, it was sent to European referential laboratories. The test result was positive confirming the infection with the emergent new coronavirus. In accordance with the scientific international and local directives, the Ministry has taken precautionary measuresas for contacts to take samples to know whether or not they carry the virus. This case is the 14th case at the global level, and the 7th one locally. According to the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, the MOH clarified that the Kingdom is committed to informing the World Health Organization (WHO) of any new cases.
In the same vein, the National Committee for Contagious Diseases, which involves the membership of a constellation of consultants and specialists of all public health sectors, indicated that coronavirus is one of the viruses that infect the respiratory system. Coronavirus represents 15% of influenza viruses that affect humans, and is considered a new emergent type that can rarely be transmitted from one person to another unless in certain cases, so it is not of significant concern to the public health.
Furthermore, the National Committee for Contagious Diseases advocated the precautionary measures and the preventive follow-up taken by the MOH against this virus, as well as the adoption of WHO policies and directives in dealing with the virus, besides announcing it.
In conclusion, the Ministry’s statement demonstrated that it will report any new cases to WHO, test all applicable cases to the virus symptoms and announce the detected cases in all mass media, if required, or in the case of outbreaks – Allah forbid!