In its weekly press release, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that 34 confirmed positive cases of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been reported over the past week, from August 23rdto 29th, 2015, corresponding to Dhul-Qi‘dah 8th to 14th, 1436H (the 35th International Week), including 33 cases in Riyadh, and one case in Najran. 15 cases were reported at the MOH hospitals and the other 19 cases were reported at the other health sectors.
During the same period, 1.655 samples were tested for MERS-CoV at the MOH laboratories across the Kingdom. Rapid Response Teams-IPC conducted 12 visits, while public health teams recorded 34 visits to persons in contact with positive cases. MOH has also revealed that the number of persons, who were in contact with positive cases at homes was 295, while the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) recorded one visit.
Besides, the Ministry announced that 606 cases, out of the total of 1.175 confirmed cases since the beginning of the outbreak, have been cured, at a rate of 51.6%. There are 57 other cases still receiving treatment, and 9 cases have been quarantined at home.
Within the same vein, 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 abide by 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 developments regarding Coronavirus.
Over and above, the Ministry keeps on its efforts and full coordination with MOA, to launch anti-Coronavirus awareness campaigns at the gathering places of camels to urge camels’ owners, shepherds, and those in contact with them to be careful and take protective measures when dealing with camels.
Finally, the MOH highlighted that it shall remain committed to the preset preparations, and that cooperative efforts with other parties, including the Saudi community and healthcare staff who represent the cornerstone in this regard, shall continue.