Jeddah Field Hospital Receives 500 COVID-19 Patients

A general view shows an empty street after a curfew was imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 23, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
A general view shows an empty street after a curfew was imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 23, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
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Jeddah Field Hospital Receives 500 COVID-19 Patients

A general view shows an empty street after a curfew was imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 23, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
A general view shows an empty street after a curfew was imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 23, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri

The coronavirus field hospital in Jeddah continues to receive COVID-19 patients who need moderate medical care. Director of the Field Hospital Ali al-Shihri told Asharq Al-Awsat that the number of cases received has exceeded 500 since its inauguration in June 7.

He explained that the recovery period according to the approved protocols is 10 days, starting from the first day symptoms are noticed.

The hospital has helped the health sector by receiving the infected and providing them with the appropriate medical care, Shihri said, pointing out that the site has specialized medical and administrative personnel and auxiliary departments.

Meanwhile, the city has seen a significant decrease in the total number of new cases over the past week, as the number of infected has ranged between 50 and 70 cases per day.

The Health Ministry also announced that the rate of recoveries from coronavirus in the Kingdom had risen 87.3 percent.

The field hospital aims at receiving COVID-19 patients who need admission in hospitals to receive the necessary treatment.

It also aims to reduce pressure on hospitals by receiving cases from large hospitals. It accommodates about 500 clinical beds and includes all the auxiliary medical departments, such as the laboratory, radiology, pharmacy, nutrition, and medical supply departments, that are fully equipped.

The hospital has also been supported by many specialized medical and technical staff and some administrative personnel. It has also been provided with medical supplies, tools, and oxygen tubes to ensure its ability to receive COVID-19 severe cases.

It is noteworthy that the hospital has been established in Jeddah Center for Exhibitions and Events, which is affiliated to the northern Chamber of Commerce, with the cooperation and participation of a number of relevant government sectors.



UAE Air Defenses Intercept 5 Ballistic Missiles, 35 UAVs

UAE air defenses on Wednesday engaged 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran (AFP).
UAE air defenses on Wednesday engaged 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran (AFP).
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UAE Air Defenses Intercept 5 Ballistic Missiles, 35 UAVs

UAE air defenses on Wednesday engaged 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran (AFP).
UAE air defenses on Wednesday engaged 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran (AFP).

The UAE air defenses on Wednesday intercepted 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

The agency said that, since the start of the Iranian attacks, UAE air defenses have engaged 438 ballistic missiles, 19 cruise missiles and 2,012 UAVs.

A WAM statement said the attacks resulted in the martyrdom of two members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, in addition to the death of a Moroccan civilian contracted by the Armed Forces, as well as nine civilian fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian and Indian nationalities.

A total of 190 people were also injured, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate and severe, from various nationalities including Emirati, Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian and Indian.

The Ministry of Defense affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the country’s security, in a manner that preserves its sovereignty and stability and protects its interests and national capabilities.


Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Arrives in Riyadh on Official Visit

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
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Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Arrives in Riyadh on Official Visit

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah arrived Wednesday in Riyadh on an official visit to Saudi Arabia.

He was received by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji at King Khalid International Airport.


Qatar Says Iran Missile Struck Tanker in Its Waters

28 March 2026, Qatar, Doha: A view of the West Bay skyline in Doha with its lights switched off during Earth Hour. (dpa)
28 March 2026, Qatar, Doha: A view of the West Bay skyline in Doha with its lights switched off during Earth Hour. (dpa)
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Qatar Says Iran Missile Struck Tanker in Its Waters

28 March 2026, Qatar, Doha: A view of the West Bay skyline in Doha with its lights switched off during Earth Hour. (dpa)
28 March 2026, Qatar, Doha: A view of the West Bay skyline in Doha with its lights switched off during Earth Hour. (dpa)

Qatar said on Wednesday that a tanker leased to its state-owned energy company was struck by an Iranian missile in the Gulf country's territorial waters.

"Qatar was targeted... by three cruise missiles launched from Iran," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Qatar's military "intercepted two of the cruise missiles, while the third missile struck an oil tanker leased to QatarEnergy in Qatar's territorial waters," it said.

"Coordination was established with relevant authorities to evacuate the tanker, which had 21 crew members on board, without any human casualties," the ministry added.

Gulf countries have faced repeated drone and missile salvos from Iran over the past month in response to US and Israeli strikes that began at the end of February.

Iran has targeted hydrocarbon infrastructure in the oil-rich Gulf nations as well as shipping, effectively closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global oil usually passes.

QatarEnergy said in a statement the Aqua 1, a fuel oil tanker, had been "the subject of a missile attack in the northern territorial waters of the State of Qatar in the early morning hours of Wednesday".

It confirmed no crew members had been injured and there was "no impact on the environment as a result of this incident".