On Sunday morning, the COVID-19 Monitoring Committee held its 88th 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 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 4,651,119 cases, of which 1,700,354 cases have recovered to date. As for the COVID-19 death toll, it has jumped to 312,119.
Besides, 2,736 new confirmed cases were reported in the Kingdom, distributed as follows: 557 in Makkah, 488 in Riyadh, 392 in Madinah, 375 in Jeddah, 286 in Dammam, 149 in Al-Hafouf, 149 in Jubail, 81 in Taif, 51 in Khobar, 24 in Al-Qatif, 18 in Tabuk, 15 in Dhahran, 15 in Bish, 14 in Bisha, 12 in Buraidah, 9 in Al-Hada, 9 in Al-Qurai, 9 in Hail, 7 in Sabt Al-alaya, 6 in Abqaiq, 6 in Al-Qunfudah, 5 in Al-Qauz, 5 in Al-Rain, 5 in Yanbu, 4 in Al-Aqeeq, 4 in Hafr Al-Batin, 4 in Al-Kharj, 4 in Dariya, 3 in Khamis Mushayt, 3 in Ahad Rufaidah, 3 in Mahayel Assir, 3 in Al-Qira, 3 in Umluj, 3 in Samtah, 3 in Al-Mezalif, 3 in Hawtat Bani Tamim, 2 in Ras Tanura, 2 in Safwa, 2 in Thuraiban, 2 in Namira, 2 in Al-Haditha Entry Point, 2 in Al-Mazahmiya, and 1 case in Rijal Almaa, Unaiza, Al-Badaie, Alras, Khaibar, Al-Kharma, Umm Aldoom, Rabegh, Shwaq, Najran, Sharoura, Al-Shuba, Wadi ad Dawasir, Rwaidat Al-Ardh and Tamir.
Of the 2,736 cases reported today, 40% are Saudi citizens, and 60% are non-Saudi residents. About 22% of the cases are females, and 78% are males. Only 4% of the reported cases are older persons, 9% are children, and 87% are adults. The number of new recoveries has amounted to 2,056, bringing the total recoveries to date to 25,722. And 10 new deaths were reported, bringing the total deaths to 312. All new deaths are non-Saudis, most of them were suffering from chronic diseases. He said 16,045 lab tests have been conducted in the Kingdom, bringing the total to 586,405 tests.
To control pandemics, world countries are following recommendations of the international organizations, including prevention and isolation, as well as lab tests, epidemiological investigation, and the ability to deal with infection, he said. Regarding prevention, the Kingdom has implemented a set of prevention and precautionary measures, which enabled the Kingdom to control COVID-19 cases curve. By Allah Grace, the Kingdom is among the lowest international curves, he added.
As one of the top world countries in providing lab tests, the Kingdom was conducting 5,000-6,000 tests daily until a month ago, and today that number has tripled, he said. The spread of the virus is under control and the rise in the number of the Kingdom COVID-19 cases is attributed to the increase in the lab tests, which facilitate early detection of cases. He pointed out that through field surveillance we can reach the hardest-hit areas and behaviors causing the spread of the virus, as well as braking the chain of infection. He said that social gatherings continue to contribute to the increase in infection cases.
According to Dr. Al-Abdulaali, anyone who has symptoms or wants an assessment can use the self-assessment service on ‘Mawid’ application. Those 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. They 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.