JEDDAH: Businesses and major corporations in Saudi Arabia have donated more than SR1 billion ($266 million) to help tackle the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Health Ministry.
Dr. Ibrahim Al-Haidari, of the Health Ministry’s endowment fund, praised what he described as an overwhelming response from the business community and corporations in the Kingdom.
Generous financial contributions from firms have provided government agencies with a “helping hand during these testing times,” he said.
Al-Haidari said that the Health Endowment Fund, the strategic partner of the Health Ministry, is considered to be the first of its kind in the field of health care.
The independent entity is chaired by the health minister and includes representatives from government agencies.
Al-Haidari said that the fund’s central pillars are speedy response, flexibility and engagement with the community.
“The financial contributions to the campaign reached more than SR1 billion ($266 million), with the participation of more than 300 parties,” he said.
The fund offers help to dialysis patients, delivering medicines, providing medical devices and preventive tools, and supporting home health care patients.
In his daily press briefing on Tuesday, Dr. Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aly, spokesman for the Health Ministry, urged people with asthma to take their medications properly and regularly as instructed. His message was part of World Asthma Day.
“The most important measure to take during these times is to follow the preventive measures such as social distancing and leaving the house only when necessary,” Al-Aly said.
On Tuesday, the Kingdom recorded 1,595 new cases of COVID-19, raising the total to 30,251. Of the total number of cases, 24,620 are under treatment and 143 are in critical condition.
Among the new cases, 86 percent are male and 14 percent female. The majority — 92 percent — are adults. The majority of patients, 76 percent, are expatriates.
Al-Aly said that 955 patients have recovered from the disease, taking the total number of recoveries to 5,431.
Nine new fatalities brought the death toll to 200.
FASTFACTS
• The Kingdom recorded 1,595 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.
• The total number of coronavirus cases has reached 30,251.
• 955 more patients have recovered from the disease.
• Among the new cases, 86 percent are male and 14 percent female.
• Nine new fatalities brought the death toll to 200.
The latest fatalities included a female Saudi national and eight others of different nationalities in Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and Qassim. Victims were aged between 34 and 75, and were suffering from chronic illnesses.
The Health Ministry will continue to examine for COVID-19, but highlighted that it will not visit homes. Al-Aly called on people to use the ministry’s website and mobile application “Mawid” for self-evaluation if they experience symptoms.
The Ministry of Interior warned that people who deliberately spread the virus face fines of up to SR500,000 and imprisonment for up to five years.
Individuals who ignore isolation and quarantine rules face fines of up to SR200,000 and up to two years’ jail.
Expatriates found guilty of breaching regulations may be deported and barred from re-entering the country, the ministry said.
