Saudi COVID-19 recovery rate remains high despite increase in cases

Saudi Arabia announced 13 deaths from COVID-19 and 1,312 new infections on Friday. (File/SPA)
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  • The total number of coronavirus cases in KSA reached 480,701
  • A total of 7,743 people have succumbed to the virus in the Kingdom so far

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health announced on Friday that five regions in the Kingdom had recorded more than 100 new COVID-19 cases in the previous 24 hours, as authorities continue to warn residents to remain vigilant and abide by official measures.

The ministry reported 1,312 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, raising the total number to 480,701. Makkah was the region with the highest case count at 373, followed by Riyadh with 233, the Eastern Province with 214, Asir with 155 and Jazan with 104.

Jouf was the region with the lowest case count, with only three cases reported.

There are currently 11,331 active cases of COVID-19 in the Kingdom, 1,466 of whom are in ICUs — an increase of 15 in the 24 hours.

The ministry reported 1,290 new recoveries, raising the total number of recoveries to 461,628. The Kingdom’s recovery rate is holding steady at 96 percent.

The ministry reported 13 new COVID-19-related deaths, raising the death toll to 7,743. More than 17.1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered so far, at a rate of 84,158 per day. 49.1 percent of the Kingdom’s population have so far received at least one dose of the vaccine.

The ministry’s statement said that 103,820 PCR tests had been conducted in the previous 24 hours, raising the total number to more than 21.4 million.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance reopened 12 mosques that were temporarily closed for cleaning after coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases were confirmed among worshippers.

The ministry said on Friday that four mosques were reopened in Jazan, three in the Northern Borders region, two in Baha, and one each in Riyadh, the Eastern Province and Asir.

COVID-19 infections have led to 1,665 mosques in the Kingdom being forced to close in the past 139 days. They were reopened after sanitization measures were completed.