Surge in COVID cases prompts Saudi authority to press for full vaccination

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's health ministry once again instructed citizens on Wednesday to get fully vaccinated after the Kingdom witnessed more than tripling in the number of Covid-19 cases in four days, Arab News reported.

When 846 cases were reported here on January 1, the count reached 3,045, with one death also reported on Wednesday. Though 424 patients recovered, 109 active cases are in critical conditions and hospitalised. Riyadh recorded the greatest number of positive cases with 855, Jeddah with 647, Makkah with 398, Hofuf with 152 and Dammam with 144 followed.

After the advent of Omicron, the number of cases reported in Saudi rose to ten times in a month. On December 1 last year, the number of new patients was 34. According to the ministry, total fatalities stand at 8,886 while the total recovered at 5,43,553.

The Kingdom has jabbed more than 51.9 million Covid-19 vaccine doses so far, and more than 23.2 million are completely vaccinated. Though Omicron causes less severe disease and rare deaths, the Saudi health ministry had asked the citizens to take booster shots too. Last month it had started vaccination for children between eleven and five years.

Last month, Saudi had made it mandatory for customers to scan the Tawakkalna app before entering public malls and shopping centres to ensure the entry of only fully vaccinated individuals. It had also urged people to comply with Covid appropriate behaviour, such as wearing masks and social distancing.