MOH News

COVID-19 Monitoring Committee Holds its 54th Meeting
13 April 2020

​​On Monday morning, the COVID-19 Monitoring Committee held its 54th 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 agencies. During the meeting, all relevant COVID-19 updates and reports were reviewed. The committee has discussed the global epidemiological situation, as well as the cases reported locally and their health condition. All precautionary measures carried out at the points of entry into the Kingdom will continue in full, the Committee stressed, and will be further tightened. The Committee commended the citizens’ compliance with the curfew, and called on them to stay home, and refrain from going unless extremely necessary (during the hours when going out is permissible).


Following the meeting, Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdulaali, MOH spokesman said, “All of us have listened to the statement made by H.E. the Health Minister about the situation of COVID-19, in which he thanked the wise leadership and all parties involved in fighting the pandemic in the Kingdom. The minister has highlighted some important points about the spread of the virus worldwide and the increasing numbers of infections around the world and in the Kingdom. He also reviewed a number of measures to be followed in order to protect ourselves, families and community, especially that there are no approved treatments for this disease, nor are there any approved vaccines”.

He reiterated the importance of abiding by the strict proactive and precautionary measures taken by the Kingdom, hoping that “we will overcome this pandemic, Allah willing”.

Referring to high-risk areas, he urged everyone to abide by the preventive measures particularly in crowded areas and workers housing compounds. The fact that many cases have been recorded in these areas doesn’t necessarily mean that other areas are not at risk, he said, calling on everyone to exercise caution. 

The MOH spokesman mentioned that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has amounted to over 1,800,000 cases, of which 438,000 cases have recovered to date. As for the COVID-19 death toll, it has jumped to 115,000 deaths.

 “472 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in the Kingdom,” said Al-Abdulaali. He mentioned that the new cases were recorded in the following cities: 118 in Riyadh, 113 in Madinah, 95 in Makkah, 80 in Jeddah, 22 in Tabuk, 8 in Taif, 8 in Khulays, 8 in Arar, 7 in Al-Hafouf, 5 in Khamis Mushayt, 2 in Buraidah, 1 in Najran, 1 in Al-Qunfudah, 1 in Ahad Rafidah, 1 in Sabt Alalayah, 1 in Al-Kharj and 1 in Dhahran.  

This brings the total cases tested positive for COVID-19 in the Kingdom up to 4,934 cases, of whom 4,064 cases are active cases, receiving medical care, and their health condition is mostly stable; with the exception of 5​9 cases receiving intensive care. The number of new recoveries is 44, bringing the total recoveries to 805 cases. And the number of new deaths is 6, bringing the total deaths to 65 cases. The new deaths are: a 51 years old citizen in Makkah, 95 years old citizen in Al-Qatif and 4 non-Saudis, 3 in Madinah and 1 in Jeddah, their ages between 42-67 years. 

Recalling COVID-19 symptoms, MOH spokesman said they are similar to respiratory symptoms, mainly:  cough, high fever and shortness of breath. He reiterated that anyone, of different age group, who develops symptoms, or is willing to get medical advice, can use the self-assessment application ‘Mawid’, or call 937 which works around the clock. 








Last Update : 15 April 2020 10:31 AM
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