On Wednesday morning, the COVID-19 Monitoring Committee held its 91st meeting. Chaired by the Minister of Health, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the meeting was attended by the committee members, who represent the relevant government agencies. During the meeting, all relevant COVID-19 updates and reports were reviewed. The committee has discussed the global epidemiological situation, as well as the cases reported locally and their health condition. All precautionary measures carried out at the points of entry into the Kingdom will continue in full, the Committee stressed, and will be further tightened. Meanwhile, the Committee commended the citizens’ compliance with the curfew, and called on them to stay home, and refrain from going unless necessary.
The meeting was followed by a joint press conference, the participants in which included Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdulaali, Assistant Minister of Health and MOH spokesman, and Dr. Safar Saad Battar, Executive Director of MOH Health Volunteering Center. The MOH spokesman mentioned that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has jumped to 4,915,004 cases, of which 1,702,225 cases have recovered to date. As for the COVID-19 death toll, it has jumped to 323,653.
Besides, 2,691 new confirmed cases were reported in the Kingdom, distributed as follows: 815 in Riyadh, 311 in Jeddah, 306 in Makkah, 236 in Madinah, 157 in Dammam, 140 in Al-Hafouf, 86 in Deriyah, 71 in Qatif, 63 in Jubail, 63 in Taif, 49 in Tabuk, 42 in Khobar, 34 in Dhahran, 33 in Hail, 24 in Burauidah, 19 in Sharourah, 17 in Al-Hada, 17 in Arar, 12 in Khamis Kushayt, 12 in Amluj, 12 in Hazm Aljalamid, 10 in Um Adoom, 9 in Wadi ad Dawasir, 8 in Abha, 8 innBish, 8 in Al-Majmaa, 8 in Al-Quwaia, 7 in Al-Mazahmiya, 6 in Ras Tanura, 6 in Al-Quraie, 6 in Khalys, 6 in Hafr Al-Batin, 5 in Al-Jafr, 5 in Safwa, 5 in Yanbu, 5 in Al-Qoze, 5 in Hadetha Entry Point, 4 in Mahayel Assir, 4in Abqaiq, 4 inDhaba, 4 in Al-Qunfudah, 4 in Shaqra, 3 in Al-Khfgi, 3 in Unaiza, 3 in Bisha, 3 in Najran, 3 in Sakaka, 3 in Jadedat Arar, 2 in Al-Muzneb, 2 in baha, 2 in Al-Mezalif, 2 in Rafha, 2 in Hawtat Bani Tamim, 2 in Layla, and 1 case in Al-Oyun, Al-Bukayriyah, Thuwal, Rabegh, Al-Edabi, Sabiya, Thuraiban, Namira, Turaif, Rowaidat Al-Ardh, Dhurma, Al-Rain, Huraymila, Ar Rafiah and al-Kharj. This brings the total COVID-19 cases in the Kingdom to 62,545 cases, including 28,728 active cases, receiving the medical care they may need. Of these, there are 276 critical cases, whereas the health condition of the rest is stable.
Of the 2,691 cases reported today, 40% are Saudi citizens, and 60% are non-Saudi residents. About 26% of the cases are females, and 74% are males. Only 3% of the reported cases are older persons, 10% are children, and 87% are adults.
The number of new recoveries has amounted to 1,844, bringing the total recoveries to date to 33,478. And 10 new deaths were reported, bringing the total deaths to 339. The new deaths are non-Saudi residents in Makkah and Jeddah, aged 33 - 95 years old. They mostly suffered from chronic diseases. The recoveries accounting for 53.5% and deaths 0.5%, he said.
He said the number of new tests in the Kingdom has amounted 18,094, bringing the total tests to date to 636,178.
He reiterated the importance of the preventive measures when going out, including avoiding crowded areas, as it advised to avoid any human gatherings of 5 people or more, and to keep a distance of 1.5 - 2 meters away from others. They also include covering mouth and nose with a cloth mask, not touching surfaces, keeping hands away from your face especially nose, eyes and mouth, washing hands frequently and always carrying a sanitizer.
According to Dr. Al-Abdulaali, anyone who has symptoms or wants an assessment can use the self-assessment service on ‘Mawid’ application. Those who have questions can also inquire or seek advice by calling the 937 Call Center, available 24/7. The call center is now made closer to everyone than ever. They can also benefit from its interactive services through WhatsApp application on the number 920005937. They can have access to health information and updates on COVID-19. The service also provides users with information on blood donation and primary health care centers (PHCs). Besides, it enables them to reserve appointments.
For his part, Dr. Safar Saad Battar, Executive Director of MOH Health Volunteering Center mentioned that the health volunteering center was launched in implementation of a royal decree issued last month to develop a volunteering plan to combat COVID-19 pandemic. He confirmed that the health volunteering is supported by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in line with the objectives of the Saudi Vison 2030.
Following the royal decree, a committee was formed under the chairmanship of MOH and membership of 12 public and private agencies. The committee worked in harmony to activate and develop the health volunteering and enable volunteers’ contribution in combating COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
“We have launched the health volunteer platform, which has received more than 163,894 volunteers, including citizens and residents. The platform aims to link the volunteering opportunities with the ever-increasing interest in volunteering”, he added.
He pointed out that MOH has launched three training programs developed by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS). Completing the training program in community volunteering is a prerequisite for final admission to this platform. More than 72,000 volunteers have passed the program and became ready to provide volunteering services and to contribute in combating the pandemic. He said over 19,000 volunteers have donated their blood within 352,181 volunteering hours since the pandemic began. He said the beneficiaries of the volunteering health services amounted to more than 3,500,000 across the Kingdom.
He pointed out that the health volunteers’ contribution has helped MOH’s efforts in quarantine, hospitals, epidemiological investigations, home care, medical consultations, visual triage, different public health programs, as well as other support services, such as emergencies and ambulatory transportation.
Dr. Battar underlined the importance of volunteering in developing communities, particularly during crises and disasters. He expressed his appreciation for all volunteers who were not able to participate.