MOH spokesman, Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdulaali, said that MOH is continuously monitoring the pandemic curve and is optimistic about the future given the positive trends in the curve, as a noticeable decline is currently seen in the number of cases across the Kingdom.
Moreover, the Delta variant is the fastest spreading, and a few studies suggest that its symptoms can be more vigorous than the regular COVID-19.
The total number of doses given at various vaccine centers in the Kingdom is estimated to be 33,729,408. More than 587 centers have provided the vaccine.
384 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Kingdom, bringing the total cases to 541,994. These include 4,877 active cases, still receiving medical care. Their health status is mostly stable, with the exception of 1,156 critical cases.
The MOH spokesman made this statement in the COVID-19 briefing held on Sunday, with the participation of Dr. Emad Al-Muhammadi a preventive medicine and public health consultant in The Public Health Authority (Weqaya). Al-Abdulaali mentioned that 737 COVID-19 recoveries were reported, bringing the total number of recoveries 528,636 to date. And 12 new mortalities were reported, bringing the total mortalities to 8,481.
He stressed that one dose is not enough and that both doses must be taken for a complete protection against the virus. Furthermore, the vaccine is safe for pregnant women in all trimesters. In fact, the vaccine is essential for the safety of pregnant women and their babies, as recommended by the Saudi Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (SSOG).
Moreover, to ensure a safe and sound return to normal life, all individuals must follow some healthy personal behaviors. They include washing hands with soap and water regularly, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, wearing a face mask, keeping a safe physical distance with others, and taking the two doses of the vaccine. Dr. Al-Abdulaali urged parents to educate their children about these behaviors and remind them to apply them, to ensure everyone's safety.
For his part, Dr. Emad Al-Mohammadi reviewed the general health and preventive measures for returning to schools, which are updated periodically, based on the situation of the pandemic in the Kingdom, immunization rates, and observations received from concerned field control teams and international experiences.
Regarding the preventive measures, MOH has cooperated with the Ministry of Education (MOE) to come up with a guide to help students, the educational staff, and parents to return safely. The guide focuses on the students’ journey, from leaving their homes and spending a whole school day to the time they leave school to go back home. The guide provides a mechanism for dealing with suspected cases, and confirmed cases, and how to maintain effective communication between homes and schools.
Moreover, it is important to note the role families play in promoting the general health of their children with good nutrition and regular physical activity. They should provide them with preventive and study supplies that suit their needs to reduce the need for borrowing and prevent close contact among students. Furthermore, children must be educated on the importance of informing their advisors, teachers, or parents of any symptoms they feel, and taught the importance of sticking to the specified period of home isolation according to each individual case.
Students are advised to adhere to the preventive measures by wearing face masks throughout the school day, using their own tools and supplies without borrowing from others, washing hands after touching surfaces, and using their elbows or tissues to sneeze or cough.