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 Arabia Welcomes Ceasefire in Lebanon

 A resident walks amid the destruction in the southern Lebanese village of Zibqin on November 27, 2024, as people who had fled the war between Israel and Hezbollah returned to check on their homes after a ceasefire between the warring sides took effect. (AFP)
A resident walks amid the destruction in the southern Lebanese village of Zibqin on November 27, 2024, as people who had fled the war between Israel and Hezbollah returned to check on their homes after a ceasefire between the warring sides took effect. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes Ceasefire in Lebanon

 A resident walks amid the destruction in the southern Lebanese village of Zibqin on November 27, 2024, as people who had fled the war between Israel and Hezbollah returned to check on their homes after a ceasefire between the warring sides took effect. (AFP)
A resident walks amid the destruction in the southern Lebanese village of Zibqin on November 27, 2024, as people who had fled the war between Israel and Hezbollah returned to check on their homes after a ceasefire between the warring sides took effect. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia welcomed on Wednesday the ceasefire in Lebanon, hailing the international efforts that helped achieve it.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry hoped the ceasefire would lead to the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, preserve Lebanon’s sovereignty, security and stability, and ensure the safe return of the displaced to their homes.

The Muslim World League (MWL) welcomed the ceasefire, commending all efforts that contributed to ending the conflict and expressed its hope for continued security and stability for Lebanon and its people under its national sovereignty.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation stressed the need for all parties to commit to the ceasefire agreement through the full implementation of Resolution 1701.

OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha underscored his full support for Lebanon’s stability and the right of its state to exercise its sovereignty across all Lebanese territories.

He called for humanitarian aid to meet the needs of those affected and for reconstructing what was destroyed in the war.

Moreover, he hoped that the ceasefire in Lebanon would pave the way for an immediate halt to the Israeli assault on Gaza and all occupied Palestinian territories.