On Tuesday morning, the COVID-19 Monitoring Committee held its 83rd meeting. Chaired by the Minister of Health, Dr. Tawfik 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 necessary.
Following the meeting, Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdulaali, Assistant Minister of Health and MOH spokesman, stated that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has jumped to 4,200,000 cases, of which 1,400,000 cases have recovered to date. As for the COVID-19 death toll, it has jumped to about 286,000.
Besides, 1,911 new confirmed cases were reported in the Kingdom, distributed as follows: 443 in Riyadh, 407 in Makkah, 306 in Jeddah, 176 in Madinah, 91 in Hofuf, 78 in Dammam, 74 in Al-Khobar, 57 in Al-Majmaah, 42 in Heddah, 33 in Al-Jubail, 27 in Tabuk, 18 in Al-Dhahran, 18 in Qaraah, 18 in Hazm Al-Jalameed, 17 in Al-Qatif, 17 in Bish, 16 in Taif, 16 in Hael, 10 in Al-Kharj, 5 in Najran, 4 in Khamis-Misheit, 4 in Wadi Al-Dawaser, 3 in Safwi, 3 in Hotat Bani Tamim, 3 in Al-Dalam, 3 in Al-Deriyah, 2 in Mahayel Assir, 2 in Bisha, 2 in Hafr Al-Batin, 2 in Qunfudah, 2 in Layla, and one case in Baqiq, Buraidah, Uqlat Al-Soqour, Sabt Al-Elaya, Rabigh, Al-Muzailef, Namira, Sakaka, Al-Qurayyat, Thadiq, Shaqraa and Huraimelaa. This brings the total COVID-19 cases in the Kingdom to 42,925 cases, including 27,404 active cases, receiving the medical care they may be in need of. Of these, there are 147 critical cases, whereas the health condition of the rest is stable.
Of the 1,911 cases reported today, 31% are Saudi citizens, and 69% are non-Saudi residents. About 18% of the cases are females, and 82% are males. Only 2% of the reported cases are older persons, 6% are children, and 92% are adults.
The number of new recoveries has amounted to 2,520, bringing the total recoveries to date to 15,257. And 9 new deaths were reported, bringing the total deaths to 264. The new deaths include a 53-year-old Saudi woman in Jeddah, a 64-year-old Saudi man in Jeddah, and 7 non-Saudi residents in Makkah, Jeddah and Wadi Al-Dawaser, aged 29 - 64 years old. They mostly suffered from chronic diseases.
Al-Abdulaali warned of the danger of gatherings, as they are the perfect environment for COVID-19 to spread. Many examples from all regions of the Kingdom have proven this to be true. Many infections in many countries around the world have resulted from gatherings, whether parties or similar occasions where families met and transmitted the virus to one another.
“It is unfortunate that one case carrying the virus could infect dozens of other individuals. Specialists examine cases very closely. They have a follow-up, monitoring and epidemiological investigation network to reach each case. They learn about the individuals the case was in contact with to control and eradicate the pandemic,” Al-Abdulaali added. He stressed the importance of staying at home and adhering to the health instructions as they act as a safeguard against the novel Coronavirus.
According to Dr. Al-Abdulaali, anyone who has symptoms or wants an assessment can use the self-assessment service on ‘Mawid’ application. Citizens who have questions can also inquire or seek advice by calling the 937 Call Center, available 24/7. The call center is now made closer to everyone than ever. Citizens can also benefit from its interactive services through WhatsApp application on the number 920005937. They can have access to health information and updates on COVID-19. The service also provides users with information on blood donation and primary health care centers (PHCs). Besides, it enables them to reserve appointments.