Saudi Arabia confirmed 13 new cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) on Sunday, adding up to 49 infections in six days, a sudden increase of a disease that kills about a third of the people infected and has no cure. The virus has infected 244 people in the Kingdom, of whom 75 have died, the Health Ministry said Sunday.
However, Health Minister Abdullah Al-Rabeeah told reporters there was no scientific evidence yet to justify ordering additional preventative measures such as travel restrictions. He said he did not know why there had been a surge of cases in Jeddah but said it might be part of a seasonal pattern since there was also a big rise in infections last April and May.
Al-Rabeeah said of the 13 new infections reported on Sunday, seven were in Jeddah, four in Riyadh and one each in Madinah and Najran. He also pointed out that the number of deaths among paramedics has reduced while cases of deaths have been declined from 60 to 32 percent
Meanwhile, a delegation from an international pharmaceutical company will soon visit the Kingdom to explore with Health Ministry officials the possibility of manufacturing vaccines for the MERS.
The name of the company is yet to be known, but sources said it would take at least three months to begin production in the Kingdom.
Al-Rabeeah said no MERS cases have been reported in the Kingdom’s schools.
“The situation is under control,” he said. “The ministry has conducted tests on more than 2,000 suspected cases and we want to provide accurate information to the public in full transparency.”
Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Khaled Mirghalani told Arab News on Sunday that the ministry is hopeful that constructive endeavors could be made toward resolving the problems posed by the virus.
He said the two parties would also review the ongoing efforts made by the Kingdom in keeping the disease under control and confirmed that the ministry is hopeful it would succeed in containing the virus.
Mirghalani also said the ministry had sought the support and services of local organizations, research organizations and universities in finding a definitive cure for the disease.
He pointed out that experts on infectious diseases from the WHO and officials from disease control departments from the US, Canada, Europe, East Asia, as well as officials from GCC countries, will arrive in Riyadh at the end of this month on invitation from the Kingdom to take stock of the situation and exchange experiences about the coronavirus.
The National Scientific Committee for Infectious Diseases, which has set up a 24-hour alert to monitor the movement of the disease both within and outside the Kingdom, will now meet daily to review the day’s status on the virus throughout the Kingdom, the spokesman said.
Face masks and hand sanitizers are flying off the shelves in Jeddah as thousands of students in the city rush to purchase such products amid coronavirus fears. The unexpected demand of these products has also pushed up prices fivefold.
Several pharmacies reported a shortage of supplies over the past four days due to increased demand.
Customers are willing to pay any price for these items, according to shop salesmen.
Multinational branded products are running out of stock in most shops in several parts of the city, while local products are being sold at more than double the price. The price of a 50ml bottle of hand sanitizer, previously priced at SR4, has gone up to anywhere between SR6 and SR10.
Separately, the ministry has urged insurance companies to treat coronavirus cases as they would influenza and other diseases. The statement was made on Sunday in a daily newspaper. “Insurance companies are obliged to provide therapeutic service for all insurance cardholders,” said sources.
Umrah and Haj services establishments, meanwhile, have begun providing medical safety to Umrah pilgrims. “We do not expect current climate to have a negative impact on Haj and Umrah services,” said Saad Al-Quraishy, president of the Umrah and Haj Committee at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The ministry has set up a toll free number 8002494444 and will provide free treatment and free health education.
