On Wednesday morning, the COVID-19 Monitoring Committee held its 84th 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 4,278,180 cases, of which 1,502,620 cases have recovered to date. As for the COVID-19 death toll, it has jumped to 292316.
Besides, 1,905 new confirmed cases were reported in the Kingdom, distributed as follows: 673 in Riyadh, 338 in Jeddah, 283 in Makkah, 147 in Dammam, 67 in Hofuf, 64 in Madinah, 52 in Al-Jubail, 50 in Taif, 47 in Al-Khobar, 35 in Tabuk, 30 in Majmaah, 18 in Al-Deriyah, 14 in Al-Dhahran, 13 in Umluj, 11 in Bish, 6 in Al-Kharj, 4 in Salwa, 4 in Safwi, 3 in Al-Jafar, 3 in Al-Qatif, 3 in Baqiq, 3 in Al-Khorma, 2 in Al-Khafji, 2 in Qaryat Al-Ulya, 2 in Sharurah, 2 in Ras-Tannoura, 2 in Rabigh, 2 in Qaraa, 2 in Al-Qunfudah, 2 in Hail, 2 in Al-Muzahimiyah, 2 in Hotat-Sudair, and one case in Abha, Al-Nuairiyah, Buraidah, Unaiza, Al-Rass, Al-Huda, Al-Leith, Al-Mekhwah, Najran, Hotat Bani Tamim, Al-Dalam, Wadi Al-Dawaser, Al-Dawadmi, Al-Rein, Al-Salil, Al-Zulfi, and Ruweidat Al-Ard. This brings the total COVID-19 cases in the Kingdom to 44,830 cases, including 26,935 active cases, receiving the medical care they may need. Of these, there are 147 critical cases, whereas the health condition of the rest is stable.
Of the 1,905 cases reported today, 32% are Saudi citizens, and 68% are non-Saudi residents. About 22% of the cases are females, and 78% are males. Only 4% of the reported cases are older persons, 8% are children, and 88% are adults.
The number of new recoveries has amounted to 2365, bringing the total recoveries to date to 17,622. And 9 new deaths were reported, bringing the total deaths to 273. The new deaths include an 80-year-old Saudi man in Makkah, a 48-year-old Saudi woman in Makkah, and 7 non-Saudi residents in Makkah and Jeddah, aged 42 - 88 years old.
Al-Abdulaali explained that the rate of new COVID-19 cases around the world continues to rise. The curve of cases across the Kingdom varies, whether for active and recovering cases or deaths. Confirmed cases in the Kingdom are divided into three categories: The first includes active cases which are still receiving health care and classified as ‘infected’. The second category includes recovered cases that are excluded from the total confirmed cases. The third category includes deaths. Al-Abdulaali noted that the rate of deaths is constant and stable at low levels, compared to global rates.
For several days now, a rise in recovered cases has been observed as they exceed 1000 across the Kingdom. Since yesterday, the number of recovered cases exceeded 2000. “This makes us very optimistic about the recovery rate,” Al-Abdulaali said. Similarly, the rate of active cases has been declining since yesterday for the first time. Today, the number of active cases continues to decline. This indicates that all the preventive measures are taken and citizens’ adherence to them is paying off. “We are heading in the right direction, but we still have more steps to take before we reach our goal and gain control over this global pandemic,” he said. Moreover, he stressed the importance of continuing to apply preventive measures to combat the novel Coronavirus.
The daily record of recovered cases at this time against new confirmed cases has created two intersecting curves. This means that the number of recovered individuals is rising to become greater than the number of newly infected individuals. This, as a result, enhances the positive aspects over the upcoming stage.
MOH spokesman stressed that it is essential to learn about the spread of the virus in a geographical area to properly assess it. If the virus spread was found to be active in a certain area, the required steps would be taken to shut it down. It is also important to note that MOH’s provision of health services during the pandemic has not made it, or any other concerned body, lose the focus in terms of dealing with emergencies. All services are provided to patients as needed. Staying home and adhering to health instructions is the way to prevent the spread of 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.