Riyadh: Saudi Health Ministry confirmed 154 new cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Monday, 16 of who came from abroad.
It was revealed by ministry spokesman Dr Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aly during a daily press conference held to announce COVID-19 updates in the Kingdom.
“Since their entry into Saudi Arabia, they have been placed in quarantine,” he said.
The kingdom also announced free treatment for all COVID-19 patients in both government and private health facilities.
The royal order was announced by health minister Dr Tawfiq Al-Rabiah who said it included citizens, residents and those in violation of residency laws.
“This gesture is undoubtedly — as the health minister stressed — customary in this country," Dr Al-Aly said.
"It is a very important humanitarian step. It adds to all the previous steps that the country has taken to give this community the highest levels of protection and health security.”
Of the latest cases, 40 were recorded in Makkah, 43 in Dammam, 22 in Riyadh and 22 in Madinah, while Jeddah, Hofuf, Khobar, Qatif and Taif all recorded a low number of cases.
Tabuk, Buraidah, Yanbu, Al-Ras, Khamis Mushait, Dhahran, Samtah and Al-Duwadimi reported one case each.
“This brings the total number of registered cases of coronavirus in the Kingdom to 1,453. Most of the patients are in a stable condition and are showing uplifting results,” Dr Al-Aly said.
He added that 22 cases are still receiving intensive care, given their critical health conditions.
“No additional deaths were recorded and 49 additional cases were treated, bringing the total number of recovering cases to 115.”
A number of neighbourhoods in Makkah were isolated as a further precautionary measure and isolation measures have also been implemented in Ajyad, Masafi,Misfalah, Al-Hujun, Al-Nakkasa and Hosh Bakr.
The restrictions, which began on March 30, from 3pm onwards, prevent entry or exit, although residents of the selected neighborhoods are allowed to leave their homes for necessities such as health care and groceries within the scope of the isolation between 6 am and 3 pm.
All activities that have been allowed during curfew hours should be carried out in the strictest limits and in accordance with the procedures and controls determined by the concerned authority, the ministry added.
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