JEDDAH: Saudi health authorities announced 49 deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday, taking the Kingdom’s death toll from the virus to 1,698.
A total of 3,402 new cases were also announced, with 401 in Riyadh, 283 in Dammam, 229 in Al-Hafouf, 198 in Makkah and 173 in Al-Qattif.
The total number of confirmed cases in the Kingdom has reached 194,225, with 59,767 active cases and 2,272 in a critical condition.
According to the ministry, 1,994 patients have recovered from the disease, bringing the total number of recoveries to 132,760.
An additional 35,173 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were carried out in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of tests since the outbreak began to 1,674,487.
Meanwhile, more than 10,000 volunteers are on the front line in the fight against the coronavirus, offering help with health care services around the Kingdom.
Another 700 volunteers have been qualified to work in health facilities in Jeddah, including hospitals, health ministry reception and call centers.
Volunteers have undergone training in infection control and prevention, data entry and volunteer safety. They will help public awareness campaigns in neighborhoods, labor housing, mosques, commercial centers, factories and markets.
The Jeddah Health Affairs Directorate has provided 21 volunteer opportunities in coordination with the health ministry’s volunteering platform, Nafaz service.
The platform is a national window allowing people to offer their services in the health sector in partnership with government agencies.
