MOH spokesman, Dr. Muhammed Al-Abdulaali, said that fluctuations are observed in the pandemic curve, which requires further control and follow up, with hopes of seeing a positive trend soon. Moreover, mortalities were noticed to be higher in high-risk groups, such as people with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and respiratory diseases. The Saudi government urges these individuals to receive the vaccine as soon as possible.
The number of given COVID-19 vaccine doses is estimated to be 10,470,234. The doses were given at over 590 centers across the Kingdom. Dr. Al-Abdulaali noted that the vaccine continues to be provided during Eid holidays. He added that it is safe for individuals with health problems or chronic diseases, as well as pregnant women, to take the vaccine. Noteworthy, no mortalities from the vaccine were recorded in the Kingdom.
Al-Abdulaali revealed that 942 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Kingdom, bringing the total cases to 426,384. These include 9,572 active cases, still receiving medical care. Their health status is mostly stable, with the exception of 1,336 critical cases.
The MOH spokesman made this statement in the COVID-19 briefing held on Sunday, which also hosted, Eng. Hisham bin Abdul Moneim Saeed, the official spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah; Dr. Ahmed Jamil Kattan, the Undersecretary for Contractor Classification at the Ministry of Municipal, Rural and Housing Affairs; Ibrahim Al-Rusa, Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) spokesman; and Othman Al-Qasabi, the spokesman of the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI).
Dr. Al-Abdulaali mentioned that 1,064 new COVID-19 recoveries were reported, bringing the total number of recoveries to 409,740 to date. 13 new mortalities were also reported, bringing the total number of COVID-19 mortalities in the Kingdom to 7,072. Health services are still provided by all MOH centers and facilities. ‘Taakkad’ centers have conducted 9,733,023 swabs, and ‘Tetamman’ clinics have served 2,578,083 outpatients. They have also provided health and medical consultations to 35,281,724 beneficiaries through the (937) call center. Moreover, the total number of COVID-19 tests conducted has amounted to 17,538,789.
Eng. Hisham bin Abdul Moneim Saeed, the official spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that the Kingdom plans to have the Hajj rituals of 1442H performed in accordance with the health, security, and regulatory standards that ensure the safety and health of pilgrims. Moreover, the operational and organizational plans for the Ramadan Umrah season this year continue as usual.
Dr. Ahmed Kattan, the Undersecretary for Contractor Classification at the Ministry of Municipal, Rural and Housing Affairs, announced the latest developments of labor housing rounds and self-assessment updates. Furthermore, the monitoring and inspection tours continue. Nearly 500,000 rounds were held thus far, and 6,000 violations were reported, involving non-compliance with the precautionary measures.
Ibrahim Al-Rusa, Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) spokesman, reviewed the new travel procedures for citizens and non-citizens, the health protocols adopted at airports, as well as the shipment, transportation, and reception of vaccines at the Kingdom's airports.
The Kingdom's airports will start operating flights within a week, after allowing citizens to travel abroad, at 1:00AM on the 5th of Shawwal 1442 AH. Al-Rusa stressed the importance of giving great attention to all the necessary instructions and procedures to ensure safe flights. Moreover, the authority will issue an updated guideline over the next few days. Noteworthy, entering airports and airplanes will not be allowed without (Tawakkalna) application. All passengers must maintain a safe social distance when getting on and off the plane, and crowded lines must be avoided.
More than 53,000kg were shipped on 52 flights, through 13 refrigerated warehouses that were dedicated to perishable shipments. This took place through 5 international airports, starting from December 16, including arrival, clearance, and handling, in a record time of only 10 minutes. Othman Al-Qasabi, the spokesman of the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI), talked about travel insurance, the groups obligated to have travel insurance, the top cases covered by this type of insurance, as well as the channels to obtain it and ensure its efficiency.
Al-Qasabi shed light on the cases covered by the insurance, including e emergency COVID-19 medical expenses, such as ERs, urgent care, and emergency transportation. The insurance also covers expenses related to COVID-19 quarantine, medical evacuation, and issues involving shortening the duration of trips or missing them altogether due to COVID-19.
The channels for getting the insurance include approving an insurance entity consisting of an alliance of 12 companies, and choosing Tawuniya Cooperative Insurance Company to lead this alliance, which facilitates the process of obtaining this insurance coverage. Noteworthy, the insurance does not cover any COVID-19 examination expenses. It also doesn't cover COVID-19 quarantines (whether for a person with COVID-19 or one that has been in contact with a patient), or the mandatory preventive quarantine that some countries require before allowing visitors to enter.