Covid19: Fresh cases decline in Saudi Arabia

Case numbers in Saudi Arabia have plummeted to a lowest of less than 1000 since the last two weeks. About 900 new infections were identified on Sunday, the fewest in nearly two weeks.

Out of the new 907 cases reported by the Ministry of Health, 258 cases were in Riyadh, followed by Makkah with 232, 139 in Eastern Province and 3 cases in Jouf. The recorded total shows 449,191.

As of Sunday, 1,201 recoveries were reported, taking the total Covid recoveries in the Kingdom to 432,138. Recent stats showed daily infection rates above the 1000 mark since May 16, on which 886 cases were recorded.

"Daily cases have been fluctuating lately, and we hope the numbers will decline because of people, first, receiving their COVID-19 vaccines and, second, adhering to protocols by wearing masks, social distancing, washing their hands and avoiding social gatherings," said Health Ministry spokesman Dr Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aly in a media conference on Saturday.

Over 13 million doses have been administered since Saudi Arabia initiated mass vaccinations in December, according to figures from the Health Ministry. Deaths have also been declining, but cases admitted in intensive care units rose, reports show.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom's General Entertainment Authority has relaxed covid restrictions for vaccinated residents by resuming entertainment activities, which were paused as part of measures to curb the spread. Outdoor events can be conducted at 40 per cent operational capacity with an adequate number of organisers posted at gates, the authority directed.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance on Sunday reopened six mosques that had been temporarily closed for sterilisation. The number of sanitised mosques in 113 days totalled 1,425.