MOH spokesman, Dr. Muhammed Al-Abdulaali, said that a noticeable decline in the number of cases is seen in the pandemic curve in the Kingdom, with vaccines being the main reason for this decline. Moreover, the numbers of given vaccine doses in the Kingdom have reached distinct levels, and no mortalities were recorded due to the vaccine. Dr. Al-Abdulaali warned against believing the rumors circulating about the vaccine, and encouraged individuals who got COVID-19 to take the two recommended doses. The approved vaccines in the Kingdom are: Pfizer, AstraZeneca, J&J, and Moderna.
Furthermore, nearly 30 million doses were given to people in KSA. The total number of doses given to individuals at various vaccine centers in the Kingdom is estimated to be 29,604,201. More than 587 centers have provided the vaccine.
Al-Abdulaali revealed that 731 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Kingdom, bringing the total cases to 533,516. These include 10,200 active cases, still receiving medical care. Their health status is mostly stable, with the exception of 1,405 critical cases.
The MOH spokesman made this statement in the COVID-19 briefing held on Sunday, with the participation of Ministry of Education (MOE) spokeswoman, Ms. Ebtessam Al-Shahri and the spokesman of the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, Saif Al-Suwailem. Al-Abdulaali mentioned that 620 COVID-19 recoveries were reported, bringing the total number of recoveries to 514,982 to date. And 14 new mortalities were reported, bringing the total mortalities to 8,334. For her part, Ms. Ebtessam Al-Shahri said that the process of giving the two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to students over the age of 12 and all education staff members before the beginning of the school year is now underway. She stressed that partnership and integration with MOH to achieve a safe return to schools are essential.
Moreover, with the recent developments of the Coronavirus situation, the world is dealing with major challenges in terms of attendance at schools. The Kingdom is making massive efforts and is still providing vaccines for all students and the education staff. It is also preparing centers to provide these vaccines and ensures that all available capabilities are harnessed to prepare schools, universities, colleges, and institutes for the return of students, while adhering to the precautionary measures.
Education is one of the most important indicators of a natural return to normal life in any society. As life seems to return to normal in terms of many activities, events and occasions in the Saudi society; education remains an important requirement for this return to be considered complete, while all precautionary measures are properly applied.
Middle and secondary school students will start their academic year in person after receiving two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Primary school students will start their academic year remotely through “Madrasati” (My School) platform. Kindergarten students will start their academic year through “Rawdati” (My Kindergarten) platform. This will be the case until the required 70% community immunity is reached or until October 30th of this year, whichever comes first.
The number of students in the middle and secondary levels is 3.1 million. 70% of them are immunized, and 45% received only one dose. Those who received two doses do not exceed 19%. On the other hand, vaccinated individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 represent 6%. Ms. Al-Shahri urged students and parents to attend the appointments they booked to receive the doses and confirm those appointments through (Tawakkalna) or (Sehhaty) application. Furthermore, students under the age of 12 in the first grade of middle school will be treated like the rest of the students who have not received the vaccine, and their academic year will start remotely. The same rule applies to students who suffer from chronic diseases that prevent them from taking the vaccine.
Moreover, MOE will soon announce attendance operational models at schools. They will illustrate the students’ normal school day while all precautionary measures are applied. Noteworthy, private school students will have the same rules applied on them in terms of receiving the two doses of the vaccine to attend their classes at school. The only exception will be students whose health conditions prevent them from attending their classes and can only receive their education remotely, in accordance with the approved protocols.
Spokesman of the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, Saif Al-Suwailem said that the application of precautionary measures is closely monitored. Moreover, 499,240 inspection visits were conducted and 2,346 violations were recorded. The top targeted sectors include restaurants, coffee shops, public markets, all types of commercial establishments, and public squares and parks.
Moreover, obligatory immunization for customers who want to enter malls, shops, public markets, men’s barber shops, beauty salons, restaurants, and coffee shops has been applied since the 22nd of Dhul-Hijjah. Al-Suwailem urged everyone to immediately report violations of the health requirements and protocols by calling (940).