A press conference was held on Sunday, the participants in which included Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdulaali, Assistant Minister of Health and MOH spokesman, and Mr. Tayseer Al-Mefrej, Executive Director or Communication and Awareness at the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).
The MOH spokesman revealed that 4,233 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in the Kingdom: 1,735 in Riyadh, 352 in Jeddah, 314 in Makkah, 161 in Dammam, 158 in Madinah, 147 in Hofuf, 144 in Qatif, 137 in Al-Khobar, 88 in Al-Dhahran, 74 in Taif, 63 in Khamis Mishait, 54 in Al-Kharj, 53 in Abha, 53 in Najran, 50 in Wadi Al-Dawasser, 46 in Al-Mubriz, 47 in Safwi, 41 in Al-Jubail, 34 in Huraimela, 30 in Al-Deriyya, 29 in Hafr Al-Batin, 23 in Yanbu, 22 in Hotat Bani Tamim, 17 in Al-Oyoun, 16 in Mahayel Assir, 16 in Al-Mazahimiyah, 15 in Jazan, 14 in Tabuk, 13 in Bisha, 12 in Dharma, 11 in Hail, 11 in Al-Dalam, 11 in Al-Majmaah, 11 in Sajir, 10 in Rania, 9 in Bish, 8 in Ruwaidat Al-Ard, 7 in Rijal Almaa, 7 in Rimah, 7 in Shaqra, 6 in Al-Majarda, 6 in Dhahran Al-Janoub, 6 in Sarat Ubaidah, 6 in Sabt Al-Elaya, 6 in Abu Arish, 6 in Al-Edabi, 6 in Afif, 6 in Al-Dawadmi, 5 in Al-Hinakiyah, 5 in Buraidah, 5 in Ras Tannoura, 5 in Sharoura, 5 in Al-Quayiyah, 4 in Al-Jafr, 4 in Mahd Al-Thahab, 4 in Unaizah, 4 in Uhud Rufaidah, 4 in Al-Sulail, 4 in Thadiq, 3 in Al-Khurmah, 3 in Qiya, 3 in Al-Maddah, 3 in Al-Aridah, 3 in Badr Al-Janoub, 3 in Al-Qouz, 2 in Samita, 2 in Al-Mithnab, 2 in Al-Qunfudah, 2 in Theriban, 2 in Al-Qurai’, 2 in Al-Sahah, 2 in Al-Harjah, 2 in Tathlith, 2 in Sebia, 2 in Wadi Al-Far’, 2 in Al-Kamil, 2 in Arar, 2 in Layla, 2 in Al-Bijadiyah, 2 in Al-Zulfi, and one case in Riyadh Al-Khabra, Al-Farsha, Al-Nimas, Al-Qahma, Bellasmar, Tannoumah, Wadi bin Hishbil, Al-Bashayer, Tibalah, Baqiq, Malijah, Faifaa, Rabigh, Hobouna, Yudmah, Rafhaa, Al-Hariq, Al-Khasirah, Al-Rain, Raqaye’ Al-Jamsh, Al-Badae’, Umluj, Al-Ula and Khaibar.
This brings the total COVID-19 cases in the Kingdom to 127,541 cases, including 41,849 active cases, receiving the medical care they may be in need of. Of these, there are 1,855 critical cases, whereas the health condition of the rest is stable. Of the cases reported today, 52% are Saudi citizens, and 48% are non-Saudi residents. About 32% of the cases are females, and 68% are males. Only 5% of the reported cases are older persons, 9% are children, and 86% are adults. According to Al-Abdulaali, the number of new recoveries has amounted to 2,172, bringing the total recoveries to date to 84,720. And 40 new deaths were reported, bringing the total deaths to 972.
As for COVID-19 testing, he added, 19,377 new tests were conducted today, bringing the total tests so far to 1,106,398. MOH continues its surveillance to detect critical cases, and those in need of receiving medical care at hospitals. The recent spike is attributable to several causes, he noted, most notably the failure to adhere to the necessary precautionary measures. About 90% of critical cases are reported in Riyadh, Makkah, Eastern Region, Madinah and Jeddah.
The MOH spokesman revealed that the Ministry has released a new service ‘Tabaud’, through which users can discover whether they have been in contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases.
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.
The MOH spokesman stated that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has jumped to 7,798,046 cases, of which 3,715,486 cases have recovered to date. As for the COVID-19 death toll, it has jumped to 430,292.
For his part, the SFDA spokesman, Mr. Tayseer Al-Mefrej, pointed out that the face masks currently available at pharmacies have increased by 188% over the past 14 days. There are 9 national face-mask factories located in different parts of the Kingdom, producing about 2.5 million masks a day. In addition, a public-private partnership has been activated to import an average of 10 million masks over the said period.