The Assistant Minister of Health and MOH spokesman, Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdulaali, stated that 418 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Kingdom, bringing the total cases to 334,605. These include 10,683 active cases, still receiving medical care. Their health status is mostly stable, with the exception of 993 critical cases. Things are looking promising with the critical cases toll fewer than 1000 cases, he added.
Al-Abdulaali made this statement during the COVID-19 brief held on Wednesday, which also hosted the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah for Umrah Affairs, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Abdul Raheem Wazzan.
He pointed out that 612 cases have been recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 319,154 cases, all praise is due to Allah. Also, 29 new deaths have been reported; bringing the total deaths to 4,768. Moreover, 47,320 new lab tests for COVID-19 have been conducted in the Kingdom’s laboratories, bringing the total to 6,491,493.
He said that the symptoms of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza are similar, adding that we can protect ourselves from the seasonal influenza and vaccinations are available at all healthcare centers, they are safe and important for everyone over 6 months old, with the exception of those with egg allergy. He refuted some misconceptions about the seasonal influenza vaccination such as it is not dangerous, herbs obviate vaccination, is taken once in a lifetime, and causes severe side effects. He confirmed that everyone can get seasonal influenza vaccination without an appointment.
For his part, Dr. Wazzan said the ministry has developed “Etemarna” app to issue permits for those wishing to perform Umrah and visit and pray in the two Holy Mosques as per the capacity approved by the concerned authorities, in order to ensure the safety of pilgrims and commitment to the precautionary measures in integration with “Tawakkalna” app.
Mainly, the “Etemarna” app issues a permit to perform Umrah and prayer at the two Holy Mosques and other sites as specified by the concerned authorities. The applicant must verify his health condition via “Tawakkalna” app and may include his dependents in the same application.
He explained that after registration on the application, applicant shall select the type of permit (Umrah, visit and praying in the Prophet Mosques and Ar Rawdah Al Shareefah … etc.) and date, time and assembly point at the central area for transportation to the Holy Mosque. Following the expiry of permit you may book a housing package or an appointment for mazarat and other services through the central reservation platform, he added.
He pointed out that the first step is to download “Tawakkalna” and “Etemarna” apps and then request the permit for you and your dependents who also should have their own account with “Tawakkalna” app. After getting the permit the pilgrim should go to the transportation site as per the time specified in the permit and be committed to the precautionary measures, including wearing face mask and perform Umrah in group.