On Tuesday morning, the COVID-19 Monitoring Committee held its 94th meeting. Chaired by the Minister of Health, Dr. Tawfik 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 Lt. Col. Talal Al-Shalhoub, Ministry of Interior (MOI) spokesman. The MOH spokesman mentioned that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has jumped to 5,512,055 cases, of which 2,247,952 cases have recovered to date. As for the COVID-19 death toll, it has jumped to 346,612.
Besides, 1,931 new confirmed cases were reported in the Kingdom, distributed as follows: 789 in Riyadh, 327 in Jeddah, 166 in Al-Hafouf, 143 in Dammam, 120 in Makkah, 97 in Buraidah, 37 in Jubail, 31 in Al-Qatif, 26 in Khobar, 17 in Tabuk, 13 in Taif, 12 in Madinah, 10 in Bish, 10 in Dhahran, 9 in Al-Sahn, 9 in Al-Kharj, 7 in Al-Haditha Entry Point, 6 in Al-Jafr, 5 in Unaiza, 5 in Arar, 5 in Tamir, 4 in Khamis Mushayt, 4 in Hail, 4 in Khulais, 4 in Heraimla, 4 in Qalwa, 3 in Namas, 3 in Mahayel Assir, 3 in Safwa, 3 in Najran, 3 in Sharoura, 3 in Al-Hada, 3 in Al-Majmaa, 3 in Al-Sulaiyel, 3 in Remah, 2 in Sakaka, 2 in Abha, 2 in Ballasmar, 2 in Sabt Al-Alaya, 2 in Wadi ad Dawasir, 2 in Umluj, and 1 case in Baljurashi, Al-Mikhwa, Al-Ras, Al-Badaie, Al-Bukairiya, Al-Qurayat, Al-Qunfudah, Zulum, Misan, Um Addoum, Ohud Rafidah, Abqaiq, Ras Tanura, Al-Eidabi, Fayfa, Samtah, Ahad Al-Masarha, Udom, Al-Laith, Tareef, Al-Dawadmi, Al-Muzahmiya, Durma, Hotat Bani Tamim, Thadiq, Al-Mahani, Dhib and Ghazala.
This brings the total COVID-19 cases in the Kingdom to 76,726 cases, including 27,865 active cases, receiving the medical care they may need. Of these, there are 397 critical cases, whereas the health condition of the rest is stable. Of the 1,931 cases reported today, 45% are Saudi citizens, and 55% are non-Saudi residents. About 25% of the cases are females, and 75% are males. Only 4% of the reported cases are older persons, 11% are children, and 85% are adults.
The number of new recoveries has amounted to 2,782, bringing the total recoveries to date to 48,450. And 12 new deaths were reported, bringing the total deaths to 411. The new deaths include 3 Saudis in Makkah and Taif, and 9 non-Saudi in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and Dammam, aged 45-76 years old. They mostly suffered from chronic diseases. He said recoveries accounted for 63% and deaths 0.54% of the total cases.
He added that 16,664 new COVID-19 tests were conducted across the Kingdom, bringing the total tests conducted so far to 738,743 tests.
“We are approaching a new and anticipated stage in our fight against COVID-19, following an important stage during which we have implemented the preventive precautionary measures strictly. Thanks to your commitment to the precautionary measures, we have been able to reach the present stage. Our collective commitment to the preventive measures ensures the safety of all and the negligence acts by others harm everyone”, he said.
MOH spokesperson said, "The pandemic continues and the virus is still present, but the situation has become better in terms of knowing how to control and prevent the spread of the virus." He reassured everyone that the health sector is capable of reaching cases at an early time, carrying out proactive measures, providing laboratory diagnosis and full medical acre. Upon returning to normal life, we have to provide necessary healthcare to the high-risk groups. He said the press conference will be held on a periodic basis instead of everyday.
According to Dr. Al-Abdulaali, anyone who has symptoms or wants an assessment can use the self-assessment service on ‘Mawid’ application. Citizens 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. Citizens 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, Ministry of Interior spokesman, Lt. Col. Talal Al-Shalhoub pointed out to the ministry’s statement about the Royal approval to ease restrictions on movement across the Kingdom with the exception of Makkah, and resumption of some activities from next Thursday May 28, and from May 31 in Makkah.
He underlined the importance of adhering to social distancing in public places at all times and to all precautionary measures to prevent the spread of infection, such as wearing face mask, washing hands and maintaining social distancing.
He extended his thanks to all security agencies and armed forces for the efforts exerted to implement the curfew and to prevent the spread of the virus. He also expressed his thanks and appreciation to MOH’s staff for the efforts they exerted and still exerting and to the media men who have spare no efforts to refute rumors and convey the truth and reflect the Kingdom’s efforts to the rest of the world. Effective May 31, residents of Makkah will be allowed in and out of the city from 6 am to 3 pm with the exception of the quarantined neighborhoods.
On the reopening of mosques for prayer during the curfew hours, Al-Shalhoub said that walking within the neighborhood will be permitted, including prayer performance, except for mosques in the quarantined neighborhoods, while adhering to the precautionary and preventive measures.