In its weekly press release, the Ministry of Health (MOH) reported twelve confirmed cases of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Hofuf, Jeddah and Riyadh over the period from May 31st to June 6th, 2015, corresponding to Shaaban 13th to 19th, 1436H (the 23rd International Week).
The MOH highlighted that it will continue to take strict measures, and exert cooperative efforts with other parties, including the Saudi community and healthcare staff, who are the cornerstone in this regard.
“During the same period,” the ministry said, “839 samples were tested for MERS-CoV at the MOH laboratories across the Kingdom. The number of rapid response team’s visits to medical facilities regarding infection prevention and control was three, while the number of visits by public health teams to persons in contact with positive cases was twelve. In addition, the number of those in contact with positive cases at homes was 102, and the number of visits conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture was one.”
Within the same vein, the MOH announced that 563 cases (out of 1,026 confirmed cases) have been cured, at a rate of 54.9%.
Moreover, the Command and Control Center (CCC) keeps on its efforts around the clock by carrying out epidemiological surveillance tasks, making sure that all governmental and private health facilities comply with the infection control measures, as well as coordinating with the relevant governmental sectors, international health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), and think-tanks, to follow up all MERS-CoV-related developments.
Over and above, the Ministry keeps on its efforts and full coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) to launch anti-Coronavirus awareness campaigns in the gathering places of camels to urge camels’ owners and shepherds to be careful and stick to ways of protection when dealing with camels.