Saudi Arabia Announces 1,534 New COVID Cases

A vaccination center in Saudi Arabia. SPA
A vaccination center in Saudi Arabia. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Announces 1,534 New COVID Cases

A vaccination center in Saudi Arabia. SPA
A vaccination center in Saudi Arabia. SPA

Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday 1,534 new coronavirus infections and 13 deaths from complications caused by COVID-19.

The total number of recoveries in the Kingdom increased to 469,120 after 1,487 more patients recovered from the disease, the Saudi Health Ministry said.

The new deaths brought the number of fatalities in the Kingdom to 7,832, it said.

Over 17.8 million doses of a coronavirus vaccine have been administered in the Kingdom to date.

The Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, said Wednesday that the Kingdom was uniquely equipped and ready to be a regional hub for the production of COVID-19 vaccines and other medicines and supplies.

He noted that many countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa are still suffering from high rates of infections, and that inequities in vaccine supply meant that jabs have reached very few states worldwide.

Al Rabeeah made his remarks at a G20 Ministerial Event cohosted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the World Food Program (WFP) at the UN Headquarters in Brindisi, Italy.

He stated that “in order to ensure that global COVID-19 response is streamlined to protect as many lives as possible, we must work together”, stressing that the need for closer coordination among members of the international community was essential in all aspects of health care, humanitarian and development programs and logistics.



Saudi Arabia Bids Farewell to Last Pilgrims from Madinah Airport

7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)
7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Bids Farewell to Last Pilgrims from Madinah Airport

7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)
7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)

The last group of pilgrims from this year’s Hajj season departed Saudi Arabia on Sunday aboard a Saudia flight from Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

The flight carried 320 pilgrims to Kertajati, Indonesia, after they completed their Hajj rituals. Saudia, the Kingdom’s flag carrier, hosted a farewell ceremony, concluding its 74-day Hajj operations.

The first flight for this year’s Hajj season arrived in Madinah on May 9 from India with 283 pilgrims.

They were welcomed by the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah.

Saudi Arabia facilitated 7,700 flights through six airports and provided over 27,000 buses to ease pilgrim transportation. The Haramain High-Speed Railway operated more than 5,000 trips during the season.

Over 1.8 million pilgrims participated in the last Hajj season. Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel confirmed there were no health issues or outbreaks.

The organization of Hajj was praised by leaders of Arab and Islamic countries.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi commended the excellent organization and services provided to millions of pilgrims.

Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa praised the meticulous organization and services.

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah appreciated the modern smart services and technologies.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed highlighted the success of Saudi Arabia’s Hajj management.