Saudi Arabia reports 540 new COVID-19 cases, 3 deaths

Saudi Arabia reported 540 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, according to the Ministry of Health. As a result, the total number of cases in the Kingdom over the course of the pandemic grew to 762,164.

The authorities also confirmed three new COVID-19-related deaths, raising the total number of fatalities to 9,127.

Of the new infections, 151 were recorded in Jeddah, 95 in Riyadh, 63 in Makkah, 42 in Madinah, 31 in Taif and 29 in Dammam. Several other cities recorded fewer than 20 new cases each.

The ministry said that of the current cases, 80 were in critical condition.

The ministry also announced that 512 patients had recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries in the Kingdom over the course of the pandemic to 746,525.

It said that 6,512 COVID-19 cases were still active, adding that 29,163 PCR tests were conducted in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number to more than 42 million.

More than 65 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered since the Kingdom’s immunization campaign began, with almost 25 million people fully vaccinated.

The ministry, which has 587 vaccine centers across the country, urged people who have not yet received a jab to register for a series through the Sehhaty app.

Under the slogan “It’s our turn,” the ministry continued calling on parents to register their children between five and 11 for the vaccine, to protect them from variants and possible complications.

Meanwhile, testing hubs and treatment centers set up throughout the country have helped millions of people since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Taakad centers provide COVID-19 testing for those who show no or mild symptoms or believe they have come into contact with an infected individual, while Tetamman clinics offer treatment and advice to those with virus symptoms such as fever, loss of taste and smell, and breathing difficulties.