Saudi Health Ministry: Commitment to Protocols Helps Flatten the Curve

Health center to test for coronavirus in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. SPA
Health center to test for coronavirus in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. SPA
TT

Saudi Health Ministry: Commitment to Protocols Helps Flatten the Curve

Health center to test for coronavirus in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. SPA
Health center to test for coronavirus in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Health announced that a drop in COVID-19 infections in the Kingdom is the result of the commitment of citizens and residents to health protocols.

The ministry’s spokesman, Mohammed Abdelali, said at a press conference that the precautionary measures announced to limit the spread of the virus remain applicable despite the drop in coronavirus cases.

“The flattening of the curve is being achieved due to the adherence, on a community level, to the precautionary measures and safety protocols that the relevant authorities in the Kingdom have issued.”

He indicated that the health services provided by the government ensure the safety of the society, and help control and decrease in the number of confirmed cases, as well as the number of critical cases undergoing treatment.

Asked whether there was a relation between blood type and the severity of the infection, Abdelali indicated there are no such studies to confirm that assumption.

The Health Ministry announced there were 2,466 new recoveries on Sunday in Saudi Arabia, bringing total recoveries to 266,000 since the beginning of the pandemic.

The ministry recorded 1,227 new cases, with 298,542 total cases, and announced 39 new deaths, raising the death toll to 3,408.

There are currently 28,181 active cases, 1,774 of which are in critical care units.

Kuwait, another Gulf country, reported on Sunday 508 new COVID-19 cases and three more deaths, bringing the total to 76,205 infections and the death toll to 501.

The Health Ministry also announced the recovery of 616 more patients, bringing the total recoveries to 68,135.

In addition, the Bahraini Health Ministry announced 378 new coronavirus infections with 3,454 active cases, 42,806 total recoveries and 170 deaths.

The Omani Health Ministry reported 162 new cases, raising the country’s total to 83,086, with 77,680 recoveries and 572 deaths.

As for Qatar, its Health Ministry announced 271 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 115,080, with the death toll rising to 193.



Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
TT

Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received a phone call on Sunday from Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs of the Republic of Singapore K Shanmugam.

During the call, the two officials discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and current security developments amid the Iranian attacks targeting regional security and stability, SPA reported.

They also affirmed the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation and coordination in support of regional security and stability, in addition to discussing a number of topics of mutual interest.

Shanmugam expressed his country's condemnation of the Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, affirming Singapore's solidarity with the Kingdom and the GCC states in all measures aimed at enhancing security and stability.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Sunday the riots, assaults, and attempted vandalism that targeted the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and the residence of its head of mission in Damascus.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom also slammed the “unacceptable offenses directed at the national symbols of the brotherly UAE.”

The ministry stressed the Kingdom’s “rejection of these attacks and all forms of violence against diplomats, stressing the need to ensure the protection of diplomats and diplomatic missions in line with relevant international laws and conventions.”

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi also slammed the attack against the UAE embassy in Damascus, urging Syrian authorities to hold those responsible to account.


Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
TT

Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)

Oman and Iran held talks on easing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Omani state news agency reported Sunday, with the key shipping chokepoint effectively closed due to war in the Middle East.

"Oman and Iran held a meeting at the deputy ministers level in the foreign ministries of the two countries, with the attendance of specialists from both sides, during which the possible options were discussed regarding ensuring the smooth passage through the Strait of Hormuz," the news agency posted on X.

"The experts from both sides put forward a number of visions and proposals regarding it," it added.