The Assistant Minister of Health and MOH spokesman, Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdulaali, stated that the decline in confirmed COVID-19 cases, as well as in the cases receiving critical care at ICUs, provides grounds for optimism. In the meantime, it should be noted that this decline is the outcome of the rigorous application of preventive health measures and protocols. This is also attributable to the health services staunchly supported by our government for health and safety of the society, besides the high level of commitment to those protocols by the individuals; all of which eventually bore fruit.
Al-Abdulaali revealed that 1,227 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Kingdom, bringing the total cases to 298,542. These include 28,181 active cases, still receiving medical care. Their health status is mostly stable, with the exception of 1,774 critical cases.
The MOH spokesman made this statement in the COVID-19 briefing held on Sunday, which also hosted the Ministry of Education (MOE) spokeswoman for basic education, Ms. Ebtessam Al-Shahri, and the MOE spokesman for higher education, Mr. Tarik Al-Ahmari. Dr. Al-Abdulaali mentioned that 2,466 COVID-19 recoveries were reported, bringing the total number of recoveries to 266,953 to date. Besides, 39 deaths were reported, bringing the total deaths to 3,408. Of the newly reported cases, he said, 46% are females, and 54% are males. Children make up 12% of the reported cases, whereas adults constitute 84%, and older adults 4%. 60,016 new COVID-19 lab tests have been conducted throughout the Kingdom, bringing the total tests to 4,262,092 tests. Al-Abdulaali reiterated that, so far, there is no scientific evidence to substantiate any correlation between blood group and the severity of infection.
Commenting on whether the pandemic is coming to an end, Al-Abdulaali made clear that such classifications are defined by the competent international organizations, based on certain criteria. And to bring the pandemic to its end, the world has first to develop effective vaccines and drugs, which is not the case to date. And, hence, the pandemic is still on course.
For his part, the MOE spokesman for higher education, Mr. Tarik Al-Ahmari, mentioned that the MOE has issued a guide to resuming study at universities. The guide explains the preventive measures to be applied, to ensure a safe return to university campuses.
The MOE spokeswoman for basic education, Ms. Ebtessam Al-Shahri, for her part, lauded the auspicious support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and HRH Crown Prince, Muhammad bin Salman, and their unstinting interest in the safety of students. She mentioned that the Ministry, in collaboration with all competent authorities, including MOH, and the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), has put forth a certain plan for return to school. The plan is designed to get the learning process back on track, while ensuring the safety of both students and staff.