Health

Saudi Arabia’s daily COVID-19 cases cross 3,500 for first time in over one year

Saudi Arabia recorded 3,575 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, the Ministry of Health announced on Friday, marking the first time the Kingdom saw over 3,500 infections in a single day since July 2020.

Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.
The gulf country saw nearly 5,000 cases in June 2020, marking its highest ever daily increase, according to worldometer tracker website.
While 572,225 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Saudi Arabia, a total of 544,978 have recovered. The death toll has reached 8,890 as of January 7 after two new coronavirus-related deaths were recorded.
Saudi Arabia has administered over 52 million vaccine doses as of January 7, according to the health ministry.

Saudi Arabia updated COVID-19 rules

Health authorities recently updated recovery periods for those who test positive for the virus. For vaccinated individuals, the recovery period has been reduced to seven days while the unvaccinated recovery period is 10 days.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior updated fines for those who do not follow precautionary measures. In a tweet posted on the ministry’s Twitter account, it was announced that those who do refuse a temperature check before entering public or private places, and don’t follow social distancing rules will receive a $266 (1,000 Saudi riyal) fine. In case of repeated offense, the fine can reach up to $266,000 (100,000 riyal).
Numbers have continued to increase in recent weeks after the first case of the omicron variant was detected in Saudi Arabia on December 1.

That case was traced to an unnamed north African country, according to the official SPA news agency.

Saudi Arabia recently reimposed social distancing measures at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, as well as in public places. Masks are now again required in both indoor and outdoor places.

Saudi Arabia records 3,168 COVID-19 cases and two deaths in 24 hours

Saudi Arabia’s daily COVID-19 case numbers rise by one-third

Health

First Person: Women in Madagascar too ashamed to seek help giving birth

Some of the poorest women in an underdeveloped region south of Madagascar are “too ashamed” to seek the maternal health services they need, according to a midwife working in a health centre supported by United Nations agencies, but that may be about to change.

Health

Peace or war, midwives keep delivering

Millions of lives each year rely on the expertise and care of midwives and yet a global shortage is squeezing the profession like never before, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency UNPFA said on Sunday, marking the International Day of the Midwife.

Health

Europe: Report highlights direct link between pandemic and childhood obesity

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased obesity in school-aged children in Europe, the World Health Organization (WHO) office for the region said in a new report issued on Wednesday, sounding the alarm for action.