On Saturday morning, the COVID-19 Monitoring Committee held its 73rd 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. Meanwhile, the Committee commended the citizens’ compliance with the curfew, and called on them to stay home, and refrain from going unless absolutely necessary.
The meeting was followed by a joint press conference, the participants in which included Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdulaali, MOH spokesman and Mr. Mohammed Al-Dukhaini, General Authority for Statistics spokesman.
The MOH spokesman mentioned that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has jumped to 3,300,000 cases, of which more than one million cases have recovered to date. As for the COVID-19 death toll, it has jumped to 239,000.
As for the epidemiological situation in the Kingdom, he mentioned that 1,362 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in the following cities: 249 in Madinah, 245 in Jeddah, 244 in Makkah, 161 in Riyadh, 126 in Dammam, 81 in Khobar, 80 in Jubail, 64 in Al-Hafouf, 21 in Khamis Mushayt, 19 in Dariya, 16 in Buraidah, 13 in Taif, 9 in Ras Tanura, 6 in Al-Kharj, 5 in Bish, 4 in Abqaiq, 3 in Al-Nairyah and Baljurashi, 2 in Bisha, Dhahran, Al-Majardah and Al-Qunfudah, and 1 case in Arar, Al-Darb, Tarbah, Muhayil Assir and Al-Mithnab.
This brings the total COVID-19 cases in the Kingdom to 25,459 cases, including 21,518 active cases, receiving the medical care and their health condition is stable. Of these, there are 139 critical cases, and the number of the new recoveries has amounted to 210, bringing the total recoveries to 3,765. The number of new deaths has amounted to 7, bringing the total deaths to 176. The new deaths occurred in Makkah and Jeddah, all non-Saudi, aged 33-57 years old. They mostly suffered from chronic diseases.
Of the 1,362 confirmed cases today, 127 were Saudis, accounting for 9% and 1,235 non-Saudi or 91% of the total cases, he said. 145 of them were females or 11% and 1,217 males or 89%, and 3% of the new cases for children and 2% for the elderly (over 65 years) and 95% adults, he added.
He expressed his deep regret that some people are causing panic and spreading false news about the pandemic, urging everyone to obtain news from official sources.
He warned those at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 to be more cautious, namely: those suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, breathing difficulties, respiratory disease caused by smoking, obesity, immunity problems, and those taking drugs that affect the immune system. They also include those receiving chemotherapy for cancer treatment, those with multiple organ failure and pregnant women. He advised them all to take medications regularly, to abide by doctor’s instructions, to perform home tests, to stay home, to exercise social distancing, as well as avoiding touching face, washing hands regularly, following sneezing etiquette, wearing cloth face mask, exercising and eating healthy diet.
The MOH spokesman reiterated that anyone 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.
For his part, Mr. Mohammed Al-Dukhaini, General Authority for Statistics spokesman said that the authority is conducting a survey on COVID-19 impact on commercial activities. He underlined the state keenness to support all businesses before and during the outbreak of the pandemic.
The survey, he said, aims to measure the impact of COVID-19 on businesses in the Kingdom and to collect reliable data for policymakers and decision makers to support all businesses of all sizes and locations.
He said the personal data for individuals and businesses is classified data and will not be disclosed, adding that authority, through its own platforms, will respond to all inquiries.
Participating in this survey is a national duty in the first place and the authority’s main role is to provide data for the decision makers, he added.