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 Calls for Return to Negotiations Between Iran, Int’l Community

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Calls for Return to Negotiations Between Iran, Int’l Community

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah participated Saturday in the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, calling for the resumption of negotiations between Iran and the international community.

During the session, he affirmed that the Kingdom places utmost importance on the Palestinian cause and has exerted every effort to contain the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip, address the critical humanitarian situation, and work toward ending the Israeli war on the Palestinian people.

Prince Faisal also stressed the Kingdom’s commitment to unifying the Arab and Islamic stance on the crisis and reaffirmed the Palestinians’ right to establish an independent state on the 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital, an unwavering and firmly held position.

Regarding the Israeli attacks on Iran, he stated: “The Kingdom condemns the blatant Israeli aggressions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security, constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms, and threaten the security and stability of the region.”

“The Kingdom calls for the immediate cessation of military operations, the avoidance of escalation, and a return to the negotiation track between Iran and the international community,” he added.

The minister noted that the Kingdom continues to support efforts to resolve the crisis in Yemen and is working toward the restoration of peace, security, and stability. He reaffirmed the Kingdom’s initiative to end the war and reach a comprehensive political solution.