On Thursday, the Assistant Minister of Health and MOH spokesman, Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdulaali, held the daily COVID-19 briefing, which also hosted Dr. Muhammad Al-Harbi, consultant of endocrinology and pediatric diabetes, and chairman of the MOH Central Diabetes Committee.
The MOH spokesman noted that 3,383 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in the Kingdom, bringing the total cases in to 197,608 cases, including 581,87 active cases, receiving the medical care they may need. Of these, there are 2,287 critical cases, whereas the health condition of the rest is stable.
Al-Abdulaali mentioned that, of the new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 397 were reported in Riyadh, 277 in Hofuf, 271 in Makkah, 181 in Al-Qatif, 179 in Madinah, 164 in Taif, 164 in Jeddah, 158 in Khamis Mishait, 149 in Al-Mubarraz, 141 in Dammam, 134 in Buraidah, 96 in Mahayel Assir, 88 in Hail, 81 in Abha, 75 in Al-Khobar, 48 in Hafr Al-Batin, 45 in Najran, 33 in Al-Nimas, 32 in Unaizah, 30 in Al-Dalam, 30 in Wadi Al-Dawasser, 24 in Al-Jubail, 23 in Al-Mithnab, 22 in Sharurah, 21 in Uhud Rufaidah, 21 in Sajir, 19 in Al-Dhahran, 18 in Al-Badaye, 18 in Al-Majmaah, 17 in Al-Jafr, 17 in Al-Nuairiyah, 16 in Tabuk, 15 in Al-Laith, 13 in Baqiq, 12 in Billasmar, 12 in Baqaa, 11 in Yanbu, 11 in Al-Bukairiyah, 11 in Sarat Ubaid, 10 in Wadi Hishbel, 10 in Tathlith, 10 in Darma, 9 in Al-Baha, 9 in Mahd Al-Thahab, 9 in Oyoun Al-Jawa, 9 in Jazan, 9 in Samitah, 8 in Al-Rass, 8 in Safwi, 8 in Hotat Sudair, 7 in Al-Oyoun, 7 in Al-Deriyah, 7 in Hotat Bani Tamim, 6 in Turbah, 6 in Afif, 5 in Al-Mikhwah, 5 in Biljarshi, 5 in Al-Asiah, 5 in Al-Qunfudah, 5 in Al-Bashayer, 5 in Sabt Al-Elaya, 5 in Malijah, 5 in Hobouna, 5 in Layla, 5 in Al-Sulail, 4 in Al-Khurmah, 4 in Dhahran Al-Janoub, 4 in Tannoumah, 4 in Khulais, 4 in Yudmah, 4 in Al-Artawiyah, 4 in Al-Kharj, 3 in Al-Ula, 3 in Bisha, 3 in Al-Shinan, 3 in Al-Mawsim, 3 in Al-Aredah, 3 in Al-Eidabi, 3 in Al-Kamil, 3 in Al-Zulfi, 2 in Al-Qura, 2 in Rijal Alma, 2 in Salwa, 2 in Al-Hait, 2 in Al-Dawadmi, 2 in Mirrat, 2 in Rimah, 2 in Tumair, 2 in Thadiq, 2 in Wathilan, and one case in Al-Aqiq, Al-Mandaq, Qulwah, Al-Nabhaniyah, Dhariah, Qusaiba, Uqlat Al-Soqour, Al-Sahn, Misan, Al-Maddah, Al-Qamha, Qaryat Al-Ulya, Al-Ghazala, Al-Sulaimi, Abou-Arish, Al-Dayer, Dhamad, Faifa, Sebia, Khabbash, Al-Mazahimiyah, Al-Quaieyah, and Shaqra.
According to Al-Abdulaali, the number of new recoveries has amounted to 4,909, bringing the total recoveries to date to 137,669. And 54 new deaths were reported, bringing the total deaths to 1,752. He mentioned that 53,214 new laboratory tests have been conducted, bringing the total tests in the Kingdom to 1,727,701. And of the confirmed reported today, 35% are females and 65% are males. Only 5% of the reported cases are older persons, 10% are children, and 85% are adults.
Al-Abdulaali was asked about the two scenarios (or curves) that had been revealed early on, predicting the pandemic in KSA. One of the two scenarios predicted that the number of COVID-19 would reach 100,000 cases, the other (the worst-case scenario) predicted it would hit 200,000 cases. In his response, Dr. Al-Abdulaali pointed out that these scenarios were put forth in the early days, and these predictions were made for April only. So, although we are approaching the 200,000 cases limit, this has occurred in 90 (rather than 30) days, which allowed the Ministry to better manage the crisis. It should be noted, besides, that although the total number is approaching 200,000, most cases have already recovered, with only 58,000 active cases left.
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.
The MOH spokesman stated that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has jumped to 10704228 cases, of which 5489399 cases have recovered to date. while the death toll has jumped to 516434.
For his part, Dr. Muhammad Al-Harbi, consultant of endocrinology and pediatric diabetes, and chairman of the MOH Central Diabetes Committee, mentioned that children are less susceptible to COVID-19, and if they contract the infection, they might not show any symptoms, and those who show symptoms will most likely recover. Children develop a strong immune response to the COVID-19, he said, and they are largely protected.