MOH News

28th Meeting of Coronavirus Follow-up Committee
18 March 2020

​On Wednesday afternoon, the COVID-19 Follow-up Committee held its 28th meeting. Chaired by the Minister of Health, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the meeting was attended by the committee members, who represent the relevant government sectors. During the meeting, all relevant COVID-19 updates and reports were reviewed. The committee discussed the epidemiological situation globally, as well as the cases reported locally. All the precautionary measures carried out at the points of entry into the Kingdom will continue in full, the committee stressed and will be further enhanced.​

MOH spokesperson, Dr. Muhammad al-Abdulaali, mentioned that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has amounted to 200,000 cases, reported in 163 countries, of which 82,000 cases have been cured to date. As for the COVID-19 death toll, it has jumped to 8,000.

So far, said al-Abdulaali, the Kingdom has reported 171 confirmed COVID-19 cases (87 males and 84 females), of which 6 cases have recovered and the remaining cases (165) are quarantined, receiving medical care and are in good condition, with the exception of one critical case. They are all adults, with an average age of 45 years, except 6 children. They include 104 Saudis and 67 non-Saudis (Egypt 51, Bahrain 2, America 2, Lebanon 1, Bangladesh 1, France 1, Philippines 3, Spain 1, Indonesia 1, Afghanistan1, Jordan2 and Turkey 1), of which 133 cases contracted the virus while traveling or passing through countries where the virus spread and 38 cases got infected as a result of contact with previously announced confirmed cases.

He added that more than 700,000 passengers have been examined at the ports of entry and the total number of quarantined cases amounted to 8,700 cases, and there were 12,000 advanced laboratory screenings. He pointed out that the 937 Service Center received more than 220,000 calls about COVID-19.

He advised everyone to abide by the following safety tips: avoiding handshakes, washing hands with soap and water frequently, avoiding gatherings and isolating arrivals from outside the Kingdom for 14 days. He stressed the importance of depending on the official sources for getting information, and not listening to rumors.  "Everyone who has coronavirus symptoms, or has an inquiry is welcomed to call our 937 Center, 24/7", he added.






Last Update : 19 March 2020 02:43 PM
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