On Tuesday morning, the COVID-19 Monitoring Committee held its 96th 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.
The meeting was followed by a joint press conference, the participants in which included Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdulaali, Assistant Minister of Health and MOH spokesman, and Mr. Nasser Al-Hazzani, Ministry of Labor and Social Development (MLSD) spokesman. The MOH spokesman mentioned that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has jumped to 6,200,000 cases, of which 2.7 million cases have recovered to date. As for the COVID-19 death toll, it has jumped to 375,000.
Besides, 1,869 new confirmed cases were reported in the Kingdom, distributed as follows: 556 in Riyadh, 300 in Makkah, 279 in Jeddah, 123 in Dammam, 119 in Hofuf, 78 in Qatif, 72 in Deriyyah, 57 in Madinah, 36 in Al-Khobar, 27 in Taif, 27 in Wehda, 17 in Al-Mubriz, 16 in Yanbu, 16 in Bish, 16 in Najran, 13 in Al-Jafr, 9 in Mahayel Assir, 9 in Tabuk, 8 in Al-Huda, 6 in Abu-Urwa, 5 in Khamis Mishait, 5 in Al-Nuairiyah, 4 in Al-Mandaq, 4 in Al-Jubail, 4 in Jazan, 4 in Khulais, 3 in Al-Muzeilef, 3 in Al-Muwaih, 3 in Al-Dhahran, 3 in Hafr Al-Batin, 3 in Al-Laith, 3 in Wadi Al-Dawasser, 2 in Beljarshi, 2 in Al-Baha, 2 in Namira, 2 in Umm Al-Doum, 2 in Abha, 2 in Baqiq, 2 in Hail, 2 in Sharurah, 2 in Al-Mazahimiyah, 2 in Mirat, 2 in Shaqraa, 2 in Thadiq, and one case in Al-Mikhwah, Al-Eis, Wadi Al-Far’, Al-Bukairiyah, Unaizah, Al-Sahn, Dhulm, Al-Harjah, Al-Nimas, Bellasmar, Dhahran Al-Janoub, Uhud Rufaidah, Sabt Al-Ghalaba, Al-Khafji, Al-Dawadmi, Al-Sulail, and Al-Kharj.
This brings the total COVID-19 cases in the Kingdom to 89,011 cases, including 22,672 active cases, receiving the medical care they may need. Of these, there are 1,264 critical cases, whereas the health condition of the rest is stable. Of the cases reported today, 44% are Saudi citizens, and 56% are non-Saudi residents. About 33% of the cases are females, and 67% are males. Only 5% of the reported cases are older persons, 14% are children, and 81% are adults.
Concerning laboratory tests in the Kingdom, 15,364 new tests were recorded, bringing the total number of confirmatory tests for COVID-19 to 853,987 to date. It has been 6 months since the first COVID-19 case was recorded. The number of cases has been increasing worldwide since December until today. Moreover, several countries have been noticed to experience a significant rise in cases, and the reason is that they have started recording cases only recently. Also, many countries are gradually returning to normal life with great caution, coupled with preventive and precautionary measures. “In the Kingdom, thanks to the fruitful efforts made in earlier stages, we are cautiously going back to normal,” he added.
He added that, over only one week, from Tuesday to Monday, the Kingdom reported 12,285 confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of cases to 89,011. On the other hand, the number of recoveries during this week has amounted to 17,340, bringing the total recoveries to 65,790 cases. Besides, 138 new deaths were reported over this week, bringing the total COVID-19 deaths to 549.
Dr. Al-Abdulaali mentioned that the number of active cases, currently being treated, is 22,672. Their health condition is mostly stable, except for 1,264 critical cases. This last figure is particularly alarming, he said, especially after the spike over the past few days, especially among older persons with chronic diseases in Jeddah and Riyadh. The significant increase in numbers reflect the non-compliance by some with the precautionary measures, he added. Greater caution needs to be shown, he warned, and the groups at risk should be protected from getting infected.
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.
For his part, MLSD spokesman, Nasser Al-Hazzani, revealed that employees of both the public and private sectors will get back to work over the coming period, while abiding by the preventive measures recommended by WHO.
MOH currently provides over 250 electronic services that citizens can obtain without visiting the Ministry's headquarters or branches. The branches will operate starting from the 26th of this month unless the administration found it necessary to start operation earlier. However, opening these branches would be on the condition of outpatients making pre-determined appointments. Noteworthy, MOH has conducted over 55,000 inspection visits within the framework of the health and precautionary measures. Moreover, it conducted more than 10,000 inspection visits with the Workers’ Housing Safety Monitoring Committee.