Saudi Arabia records 356 new Covid-19 cases, 4 deaths

RIYADH: A few days shy of the imposition of new stricter measures by Saudi Arabia’s authorities, the number of the daily virus cases continues to inch higher each day.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance conducted 13,216 field inspections in mosques across the Kingdom; 261 mosques were found to be violating protocols with infractions that included no wearing of masks, worshippers’ noncompliance with bringing their own prayer rugs, no social distancing and not adhering to new prayer times.

A total of 10 mosques were temporarily shut after a number of employees were found infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and are currently undergoing a disinfection process.

The Ministry of Commerce also conducted over 9,000 inspections across the Kingdom’s 13 regions between Jan. 28-Feb. 4, reporting 561 violations.

A total of 356 new cases were reported on Monday, almost half of them in Riyadh region, with 164 cases. The Eastern Province reported 80 cases, and Makkah 47 cases. Tabuk reported the lowest case



count with only one confirmed infection.

With Monday’s numbers, a total of 370,634 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

There are currently 2,415 active cases. The number of patients in critical care saw a drop of seven in the past 24 hours, and there are currently 401 patients in ICUs.

In addition, 298 new recoveries were reported, raising the total recovered to 361,813. Saudi Arabia’s recovery rate is still holding steady at 97.6 percent.

Four new deaths due to complications from COVID-19 were reported by the Ministry of Health, raising the Kingdom’s mortality rate to 6,406.

Almost 12.7 million PCR tests have been conducted in the Kingdom so far, with over 48,000 in the past 24 hours.

More than 443,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the Kingdom, with more beneficiaries be expected to receive theirs after incoming shipments are delivered according to Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aly.