The MOH spokesman, Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdulaali, said that MOH is still seeing fluctuations in confirmed and critical COVID-19 cases. “Our adherence to the precautionary measures will help us have more control over the situation and take steps in the right direction,” he said.
Some countries around the world have started to record new cases in a so-called “third wave”, and the majority of these waves were monitored by official authorities or European specialists. This makes it imperative for everyone to adhere to the preventive measures to continue countering the pandemic.
About 3,026,355 doses of the vaccine were given to people across the Kingdom's regions. Noteworthy, some segments are considered a higher priority than others, including people with Down syndrome, who cannot express their needs, which makes it essential to give these segments special attention.
Dr. Al-Abdulaali explained that receiving the vaccine does not require postponing pregnancy. Furthermore, it does not affect fertility or blood a person donates. Moreover, zero links have been found between the vaccine and strokes. Relevant scientific agencies have proven that this information is inaccurate and incorrect.
The only COVID-19 vaccine contraindication is hyperactive immune response to the vaccine itself. It is also safe for breastfeeding women to take the vaccine, as it would not leave any harmful effects on them or their babies. Additionally, promising studies show that the vaccine is safe for pregnant women and people of all ages.
Furthermore, it is unnecessary to undergo COVID-19 tests prior to receiving the vaccine. Additionally, no mortalities were recorded as a result of taking the vaccine. It is also highly recommended for people who intend to perform Umrah to receive the vaccine.
Dr. Al-Abdulaali said that 367 new positive COVID-19 cases were recorded, bringing the total number of positive cases in the Kingdom to 385,020, including 3,999 active cases still receiving medical care. Most of them are in reassuring health conditions, while 584 are in critical conditions.
This came during the press conference held today, Sunday, with the participation of the Deputy Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, Dr. Ahmed Kattan. The number of people who have recovered from COVID-19 in the Kingdom reached 374,412, including 288 new recoveries.
Moreover, 7 new deaths were reported, brining the total COVID-19 deaths to 6,609. Health services are still provided through all centers and facilities of MOH. Ta’akad centers have conducted 8,020,698 swabs, and ‘Tetamman’ clinics have provided their services to 2,150,746 outpatients. They have also provided health and medical consultations to 30,093,504 beneficiaries through the (937) center. Furthermore, the total number of lab analysis and examinations in the Kingdom reached 14,620,431.
For his part, Dr. Kattan shed light on the precautionary measures required in commercial facilities. They include obliging customers and employees to wear face masks, maintaining proper distance, and ensuring that disinfectants are placed and all surfaces are cleaned in public areas. Furthermore, mechanisms that prevent crowding must be applied and ‘Tawakkalna’ application must be shown by customers at all entrances.
Moreover, Dr. Kattan announced launching the “Self-assessment” service. It is available for all commercial facilities registered on “Baladi” (My Country) platform which have municipal licenses, whether expired or unexpired. Commercial facilities are required to enter the platform and answer the questions there. These questions are based on the activity of each facility. This process ensures that the imposed precautionary measures are followed.
Based on that, a “self-assessment” certificate will be issued and hung on the facility's façade to help reassure beneficiaries and ensure that the facility adheres to the precautionary measures.
Dr. Kattan called upon all facilities to use the self-assessment service as it is closely related to the monitoring and inspection process that takes place by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, represented in the regions' secretariats and municipalities.
Furthermore, over the past 25 days, more than 2,000 visits were made to workers' shared housing areas, covering nearly 148,000 workers. 3,597 violations were found, and nearly 13,000 warnings were given. The violations included failure to adhere to proper social distancing in bedrooms and places where workers gather (4sqm per worker), as well as failure to adhere to the specified ratio of toilets per a certain number of people, which is one bathroom per 5 persons.