Pilgrims keep a safe social distance as they perform Umrah at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on October 3, 2020. Ministry of Hajj and Umrah via Reuters
Pilgrims keep a safe social distance as they perform Umrah at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on October 3, 2020. Ministry of Hajj and Umrah via Reuters
Pilgrims keep a safe social distance as they perform Umrah at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on October 3, 2020. Ministry of Hajj and Umrah via Reuters
Pilgrims keep a safe social distance as they perform Umrah at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on October 3, 2020. Ministry of Hajj and Umrah via Reuters

Coronavirus: Saudi cases drop below 400 for first time since April

Fall in daily infections comes amid easing of restrictions in the kingdom

The National

October 05, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Saudi Arabia's daily tally of new coronavirus infections fell below 400 for the first time in nearly six months this week, down from a peak of nearly 5,000 cases reported on June 17.

The kingdom reported 390 new cases on Sunday and 379 on Monday, continuing a gradual downward trend despite a gradual easing of containment measures.

In the latest move, authorities allowed the resumption of Umrah pilgrimages from Sunday with participation restricted to 6,000 people a day in the first phase, and only from within the country.

None of those who have taken part so far have developed symptoms of Covid-19, the Deputy Minister for Hajj and Umrah, Abdel-Fattah Mashat, said on Monday.

The total number of infections in the kingdom since March stands at 336,766, while the death toll rose by 23 to 4,898, according to the health ministry update on Monday. Another 570 patients recovered, taking the total recoveries to 322,055.

The situation is a stark contrast to Iran, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East, which reported a record 3,902 cases on Monday along with 235 deaths. Iran has had 475,674 confirmed cases of Covid-19 so far, of which more than 27,000 have been fatal.

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Meanwhile, Oman became the fourth GCC country after Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait to record more than 100,000 Covid-19 cases, with the latest figures from the health ministry showing that 101,270 people had tested positive for the coronavirus as of Sunday, of whom 90,296 had recovered and 977 died.

The sultanate has witnessed a surge infections since last month, leaving hospital struggling to cope. The health ministry said 560 patients had been admitted for treatment, of whom more than 200 were in intensive care.

“It is important that everyone adhere to regulations and this cannot be taken lightly. Safety for one is safety for all. We cannot relax and go on with life as if the pandemic is over. It is not. It is still here and we need to remember that all the time,” a ministry of health statement said.

A staff member puts an 'open' sign on a restaurant door near Gora station in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. A national Go To campaign aimed at spurring domestic travel added Tokyo starting this month. Rolled out in July, the campaign provides subsidies of up to 50% on transport, hotels and tourist attractions within Japan. Bloomberg
A staff member puts an 'open' sign on a restaurant door near Gora station in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. A national Go To campaign aimed at spurring domestic travel added Tokyo starting this month. Rolled out in July, the campaign provides subsidies of up to 50% on transport, hotels and tourist attractions within Japan. Bloomberg
A member of the Brazilian Armed Forces medical team examines a child from the Guajajara indigenous ethnic group, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease, at a community school in the indigenous village of Morro Branco in the municipality of Grajau, state of Maranhao, Brazil. REUTERS
A member of the Brazilian Armed Forces medical team examines a child from the Guajajara indigenous ethnic group, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease, at a community school in the indigenous village of Morro Branco in the municipality of Grajau, state of Maranhao, Brazil. REUTERS
A couple sits close to thousands of Spanish flags, representing the Spanish victims of COVID-19, on Patacona beach in Valencia. Spain has so far claimed more than 32,000 lives and 790,000 infected in the highest infection rate in the European Union. AFP
A couple sits close to thousands of Spanish flags, representing the Spanish victims of COVID-19, on Patacona beach in Valencia. Spain has so far claimed more than 32,000 lives and 790,000 infected in the highest infection rate in the European Union. AFP
Gravediggers lower a coffin during a funeral for a victim of the COVID-19 coronavirus at Kayu Manis cemetery in Bogor, West Java. AFP
Gravediggers lower a coffin during a funeral for a victim of the COVID-19 coronavirus at Kayu Manis cemetery in Bogor, West Java. AFP
A supporter of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party donates drinking water at a quarantine facility center in Yangon, Myanmar. Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city, is being locked down with a stay-at-home order after the surge of new cases of COVID-19 reached record high and which marked the region as the center of Myanmar's outbreak of COVID-19 disease. EPA
A supporter of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party donates drinking water at a quarantine facility center in Yangon, Myanmar. Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city, is being locked down with a stay-at-home order after the surge of new cases of COVID-19 reached record high and which marked the region as the center of Myanmar's outbreak of COVID-19 disease. EPA
A health worker administrates a coronavirus test at Kuna Nega community in Panama City, Panama. EPA
A health worker administrates a coronavirus test at Kuna Nega community in Panama City, Panama. EPA
Twenty thousand empty chairs are placed on the Ellipse near the White House to memorialize over 200,000 people in the US who died with COVID-19. EPA
Twenty thousand empty chairs are placed on the Ellipse near the White House to memorialize over 200,000 people in the US who died with COVID-19. EPA
Fans, standing on ladders from behind the fence, celebrate a goal as they watch a Czech first division match between Bohemians Prague and Zlin in Prague, Czech Republic. Amid restrictive measures that limit the number of soccer fans from attending the game, fans are looking for innovative ways to watch the match during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. AP Photo
Fans, standing on ladders from behind the fence, celebrate a goal as they watch a Czech first division match between Bohemians Prague and Zlin in Prague, Czech Republic. Amid restrictive measures that limit the number of soccer fans from attending the game, fans are looking for innovative ways to watch the match during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. AP Photo
A Catholic priest sprinkles holy water on a dog during a drive-through blessing done to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at the Eastwood mall in Quezon city, Philippines. Pets are traditionally blessed every first Sunday of October to celebrate the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, considered the patron saint of animals and environment by the Catholic Church. AP Photo
A Catholic priest sprinkles holy water on a dog during a drive-through blessing done to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at the Eastwood mall in Quezon city, Philippines. Pets are traditionally blessed every first Sunday of October to celebrate the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, considered the patron saint of animals and environment by the Catholic Church. AP Photo
The biog

Hometown: Birchgrove, Sydney Australia
Age: 59
Favourite TV series: Outlander Netflix series
Favourite place in the UAE: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque / desert / Louvre Abu Dhabi
Favourite book: Father of our Nation: Collected Quotes of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Thing you will miss most about the UAE: My friends and family, Formula 1, having Friday's off, desert adventures, and Arabic culture and people
 

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BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES

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Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails

Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies

Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments

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Looking for a new family pet? Here are the links to visit when it comes to adopting... 

Animal Welfare Abu Dhabi

Rescue of Abu Dhabi

Feline Friends Abu Dhabi

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Naema's Kittys 

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Animal Action UAE

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Red Paw Foundation 

KittySnip

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Ahmed's Animal Rescue

Al Mayya K9 Adoptions 

New Life Rescue

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Stray Dogs Center UAQ

Sniff - Strays Needing Interim of Furever Friends

PARA UAE - Protection of Animal Rights Association

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Shepherd Rescue Arabia

Friends of Rakawc 

UAQAC Umm Al Quwain Animal Care

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While you're here
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UAE currency
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand

UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
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May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
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Freezer tips

  • Always make sure food is completely cool before freezing.
  • If you’re cooking in large batches, divide into either family-sized or individual portions to freeze.
  • Ensure the food is well wrapped in foil or cling film. Even better, store in fully sealable, labelled containers or zip-lock freezer bags.
  • The easiest and safest way to defrost items such as the stews and sauces mentioned is to do so in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
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