56 new fatalities and 2,642 additional recoveries confirmed in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia announced 4,128 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, taking the overall infections to 205,929.
A total of 56 COVID-19 patients have died of complications caused by the coronavirus infection, raising the number of virus-related fatalities so far in the Kingdom to 1,858.
The Saudi Ministry of Health said that 2,642 more patients have completely recovered from the deadly disease, bringing the total number of recoveries so far to 143,256.
Riyadh topped today’s list of cities with the highest number of cases detecting 360 new infections followed by Dammam with 315 and Hofuf with 217 and Al Qatif with 214 cases.
Yesterday, Saudi Arabia passed the grim milestone of 200,000 confirmed novel coronavirus cases, weeks ahead of the Haj pilgrimage drastically cut back because of the pandemic.
Amid tight restrictions to rein in the pandemic, the kingdom has said it will only allow around 10,000 worshippers already present in the kingdom to take part in the annual Haj pilgrimage later this month.
In 2019, the rite attracted over 2.5 million Muslim pilgrims from around the world.
This year’s Haj will take place under strict hygiene protocols, with access restricted to pilgrims under 65 years old and without any chronic illnesses.
Pilgrims will be tested on their arrival in the holy city of Makkah, and following the ritual they will go into quarantine in their homes.
Qatar reports 756 new coronavirus cases
Qatar today has reported 756 new cases of COVID-19 raising the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 98,653, according to the Ministry of Public Health.
Three new deaths were also announced, pushing the death toll to 121 while 1,986 COVID-19 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries to 88,583.
Over the past 24 hours, 10 people have been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), taking the total number of people currently in intensive care to 185.
Currently, the active cases stand at 9,949. The ministry conducted 5,910 tests in the last 24 hours taking the total tests done so far to 372,005.
The ministry affirmed that all new cases have been placed under isolation and are receiving the necessary healthcare according to their health status, adding that measures to tackle COVID-19 have succeeded in flattening the curve and limiting the spread of the virus. The number of new daily cases and hospital admissions has gradually declined over the past few weeks.