Saudi Arabia recorded on Monday a 70% increase in the daily COVID-19 infection rate compared to Sunday.
The Health Ministry recorded 1,746 new coronavirus cases on Monday, a figure not seen since July 2020 during the peak point of the outbreak, prompting the Kingdom to reimpose preventive measures to curb the virus spread.
Last week, Saudi Arabia reimposed a mandatory wearing of face masks and social distancing in the Two Holy Mosques and in indoor and outdoor public places.
This comes in line with the significant rise in COVID infection cases around the world, causing great damage to the health sector in major countries such as the United States and Britain.
Lt. Col. Talal al-Shalhoub, the security spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior, stressed that fines are once again imposed on health measures violators in closed and public areas, especially in government and private departments, as well as tourist, sports, and cultural sites.
Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Mohammed Abdelali said the booster shots reduce the chances of contracting the virus, adding that most of those who contract the virus after the booster shot didn’t need any medical care.
Commenting on the epidemic curve rise in the Kingdom, Associate Vice President of the Sulaiman AL Habib Medical Group and Chief of Infectious Disease and Infection Control Dr. Awad al-Omari told Asharq Al-Awsat that the surge in infections is expected as part of the global outbreak of Omicron variant.
However, he urged people to be cautious because the rise in infection rates may cause great pressure on the global health systems.
The clinical symptoms of those infected with Omicron variant are mild and similar to flu symptoms.
The Saudi health system is tough, and it has proven successful in addressing the pandemic during previous waves.
In remarks about the recent health measures the Kingdom has reimposed, Omari said the situation changes based on various factors, including the increase in the number of infections, the hospitalized cases and those in internal care units.
The future cannot be predicted, he affirmed, but people must adhere to health measures, avoid gatherings, wear a face mask, and take the booster shot to resist the new mutations.
