Saudi Indicators Point to Decline in Virus Curve

A Saudi woman waits to get a dose of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 17, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
A Saudi woman waits to get a dose of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 17, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
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Saudi Indicators Point to Decline in Virus Curve

A Saudi woman waits to get a dose of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 17, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
A Saudi woman waits to get a dose of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 17, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri

Saudi Arabia is seeing signs of a decline in the Covid-19 epidemic curve, according to a recent statement by the Health Ministry.

The ministry noted that the rise in infections in the Kingdom was not linked to the new variants, nor to a second wave, but to the negligence of precautionary measures and health requirements.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdel Ali, the spokesman of the Health Ministry, explained that the current rise of infections was less severe than the first outbreak, noting that new and critical cases have increased as some people were attending social events without adhering to the precautionary measures.

The ministry spokesman urged all residents and citizens to register for the vaccination through Sehhaty application, underlining the effectiveness and safety of vaccines.

The Ministry is seeking to expand the distribution of vaccines to all regions after the arrival of new shipments, he said, noting that the current priority was to administer the second dose.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs on Tuesday closed nine mosques temporarily in six regions after infections were confirmed among worshipers.

A total of 79 mosques were closed within a period of nine days, 62 of which were reopened after the completion of the sterilization and disinfection.

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday registered 322 new cases of Covid-19 infections, 371 recoveries, and three deaths.

In Kuwait, Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al Sabah warned of a “concerning” situation after the increase of the infection rates. The government has decided to deploy the armed forces to impose the implementation of precautionary measures among the population.

“We are entering an alarming situation, as the number of deaths in the past 15 days has reached 50 cases,” Al Sabah said.

The Health Authority in Dubai announced the arrival of a new shipment of the new “Pfizer” vaccine. The Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported that the shipment had been distributed to the dedicated health centers in Dubai.

The UAE registered on Monday 3,123 new cases, bringing the cumulative number of infections to 351,895 cases.



Saudi FM Arrives in Muscat for Meeting of Saudi-Omani Coordination Council 

Omani FM Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi welcomes his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah upon his arrival in Muscat. (SPA)
Omani FM Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi welcomes his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah upon his arrival in Muscat. (SPA)
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Saudi FM Arrives in Muscat for Meeting of Saudi-Omani Coordination Council 

Omani FM Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi welcomes his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah upon his arrival in Muscat. (SPA)
Omani FM Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi welcomes his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah upon his arrival in Muscat. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrived in Muscat on Monday.

He was received by his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi upon his arrival at Muscat International Airport.

The two sides are scheduled to hold the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council.


Saudi Defense Minister Decorates Pakistan's Army Chief with King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class

The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
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Saudi Defense Minister Decorates Pakistan's Army Chief with King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class

The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has decorated Chief of the Pakistani Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir with King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class, honoring his distinguished efforts to strengthen the strategic relationship and cooperation between the two nations.

The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Prince Khalid congratulated Field Marshal Munir on his appointment as Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces, wishing him continued success in his new role.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the historical Saudi-Pakistani relations and the strategic cooperation in defense, discussing efforts to establish the foundations of international peace and security, as well as issues of common interest.


Faisal bin Farhan, Safadi Discuss Latest Developments

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met in Riyadh on Sunday with the Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met in Riyadh on Sunday with the Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. SPA
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Faisal bin Farhan, Safadi Discuss Latest Developments

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met in Riyadh on Sunday with the Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met in Riyadh on Sunday with the Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met in Riyadh on Sunday with Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi.

During the meeting, they reviewed the fraternal and historical relations between the two countries and opportunities to enhance cooperation in various fields.

They also discussed the latest developments in the region and the world.