عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Saudi Arabia Sees Drop in Coronavirus Cases for 3rd Consecutive Day

Citizen receiving coronavirus vaccine in Jazan Vaccination center, Saudi Arabia (SPA)
Citizen receiving coronavirus vaccine in Jazan Vaccination center, Saudi Arabia (SPA)
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia Sees Drop in Coronavirus Cases for 3rd Consecutive Day

Citizen receiving coronavirus vaccine in Jazan Vaccination center, Saudi Arabia (SPA)
Citizen receiving coronavirus vaccine in Jazan Vaccination center, Saudi Arabia (SPA)

Coronavirus cases continued to drop in Saudi Arabia for the third consecutive day, recording 322 new cases on Sunday, compared to 338 on Saturday.

Health Ministry spokesman, Mohammed al-Abdulaali confirmed that the fluctuation of the infections curve is being monitored and observed continuously, indicating that the commitment to health measures is a baseline for protecting society.

Abdulaali asserted that individual immunity is an important step and helps in reaching community immunity and overcoming the pandemic.

The Health Ministry announced that over 780,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered, explaining that Pfizer-BioNtech and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines, approved by the Food and Drug Authority, are both safe and do not reduce or weaken immunity.

Abdulaali explained, during a press conference, that it is necessary to receive both doses from the same vaccine, indicating the studies and research are inconclusive on the possibility of receiving different kinds of vaccines.

The total number of infections in the Kingdom reached 377,383 cases since the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020, according to the daily report of the Ministry of Health.

The data of the Ministry showed that the number of active cases currently stands at 2,584 cases, of which 481 are critical.

The Riyadh region continued to record the highest number of infections with 167 cases, followed by the Eastern region with 66 and the Makkah region with 37 new infections.

The Ministry recorded 294 new recoveries, bringing the total to 368,305 cases, with a total recovery rate of 97.59 percent.

It also announced six more deaths from complications caused by COVID-19, bringing the total virus-related fatalities to 6,494, compared to 6,488 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Saudi authorities recorded in one week, 43,428 violations of the precautionary measures imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus, according to recent statistics from the Ministry of Interior.

Ministry spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Talal al-Shalhoub said that the Riyadh region topped the list with 17,789 violations, followed by the Makkah region with 10,388, then the eastern region with 4,819. Najran region maintained first place with the fewest number of violations, recording 155 violations.

The ministry called on citizens and residents to abide by the preventive measures and the instructions issued by authorities in this regard, urging them to maintain following precautions and wearing the mask even after receiving the health passport.

The Health Ministry continues to open vaccination centers to include all regions of the Kingdom in its efforts to preserve the health and safety of citizens and residents and limit the spread of the coronavirus, urging everyone to register via the “Sehatty” application to obtain the vaccine.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance shut down temporarily two mosques in Makkah and Madina after two cases of coronavirus were confirmed among worshippers.

The authorities shut 168 mosques temporarily in the past 21 days, with 153 reopening after precautionary measures were completed.

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

Saudi Leadership Condoles Governor General of Canada over School Shooting

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
TT
TT

Saudi Leadership Condoles Governor General of Canada over School Shooting

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a cable of condolences to Governor General of Canada Mary Simon over the deadly school shooting in Western Canada.

The Saudi King condemned the heinous criminal act and expressed to the Governor General, the families of the victims, and the friendly people of Canada his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent a similar cable of condolences to the Governor General.

Gulf

Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks

Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks
TT
TT

Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks

Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet, chaired Tuesday by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, approved the formation of a permanent committee to oversee all matters related to asbestos and ensure enforcement of its ban, marking a new step in public health and regulatory oversight.

Saudi Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom approaches health risks with a proactive strategy grounded in clear policies and long-term planning.

“Any risk we detect affecting citizens, the government works to develop the necessary tools to avert it and to continue enhancing quality of life,” Al-Jalajel said, citing previous announcements including a national drowning prevention policy and a strategic drug policy.

Saudi action on asbestos dates back years, and the decision to establish a monitoring committee follows earlier Cabinet rulings. Decisions numbered 1419 and 1422 halted the use of asbestos, barred its inclusion in official specifications, and banned its import, export, and manufacture.

The measures also mandated the replacement and safe disposal of asbestos in buildings and water networks, alongside continued studies due to its health and environmental hazards.

Scientifically, asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring mineral fibers once widely used commercially and, in some cases, still in use. Exposure can be fatal, affecting workers and others who come into contact with the fibers.

The material gained commercial value for its exceptional tensile strength, low heat conductivity, and relative resistance to chemical damage. It has been used for insulation in buildings and in products such as roofing sheets, water supply pipes, fire blankets, plastic fillers, medical packaging, vehicle clutches, and brake linings.

There are six main forms of asbestos, with chrysotile, or white asbestos, among the most widely used today. The World Health Organization has concluded that all forms of asbestos cause cancer. It also links asbestos exposure to chronic respiratory diseases.

Because asbestos has been embedded in construction materials, those involved in building, maintaining, or demolishing affected structures may face risks even decades after installation.

WHO assessments classify all six major forms of asbestos as carcinogenic to humans. Exposure, including to chrysotile, is associated with cancers of the lung, larynx, and ovary, as well as mesothelioma, a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal linings.

Clear scientific evidence also shows it causes chronic respiratory diseases such as asbestosis and other severe lung damage.

The World Health Organization estimates that about 125 million people worldwide are currently exposed to asbestos at work. More than 107,000 people die each year from lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis linked to occupational exposure.

Globally, asbestos is responsible for more than 200,000 deaths annually, according to the WHO, and accounts for roughly one-third of occupational cancer deaths. Thousands more fatalities each year are attributed to domestic exposure.

As of 2024, 50 countries had banned asbestos. In others, uncertainty remains amid insufficient and incomplete data.

 

Gulf

SDRPY Hosts Yemen Partners Group with UN and International Participation

Officials are seen at the SDRPY-hosted meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the SDRPY-hosted meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
TT
TT

SDRPY Hosts Yemen Partners Group with UN and International Participation

Officials are seen at the SDRPY-hosted meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the SDRPY-hosted meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen (SDRPY) hosted in Riyadh on Wednesday a meeting of the Yemen Partners Group (YPG), co-chaired by the Yemeni government, United Kingdom, and World Bank, with the participation of the United Nations and international organizations.

Yemeni Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr. Shaya Mohsin Zindani; UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg; UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen Julien Harneis and Saudi Ambassador to Yemen and SDRPY Supervisor General Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber, as well as a number of ambassadors, representatives of international organizations, and donor entities attended the meeting.

Zindani expressed confidence in the new government and its clearly defined priorities that it will work to implement, which will help achieve stability and economic recovery.

He stressed the government’s aim to maximize benefit from the vital projects and initiatives provided by Saudi Arabia through the SDRPY, which offers important support for basic sectors and for boosting development efforts across Yemen.

Zindani expressed his appreciation to Saudi Arabia for its continued support to Yemen, commending the level of cooperation with the SDRPY and its efforts in supporting and empowering national institutions.

For his part, Grundberg emphasized the importance of the development projects provided by the Kingdom, particularly at this stage, noting positive indicators in Yemen, especially improvements in energy-sector stability.

Governor of the Central Bank Ahmed Ghaleb reviewed the bank’s priorities, stressing its commitment to transparency, the need to combat inflation, and the importance of international coordination and support to address challenges.

Al Jaber underscored the importance of continuing joint efforts to overcome obstacles facing peace and development in Yemen under the leadership of the Yemeni government.

The meeting is an important opportunity to learn about the priorities of the government and Central Bank, strengthening coordination to ensure that development and financial support is directed efficiently and effectively, and to assist donor entities and international organizations in aligning their interventions with the government’s priorities, he added.

The meeting reviewed a package of Saudi development projects worth SAR1.9 billion provided to Yemen in January, which helped boost energy-sector stability through the fuel derivatives grant, ensuring the continued operation of hospitals and vital service facilities.

It reviewed other development projects and initiatives scheduled for delivery during the coming period.