Saudi Arabia records 3,121 new infections, tally nears 100,000
34 more deaths raise the toll to 676; 39 more mosques shut after suspected cases
Saudi Arabia yesterday reported 3,121 new infections, the highest singleday increase in the kingdom, as the total number of cases approached the 100,000 mark.
The latest figures raised the confirmed patients in the kingdom to 98,869, of which 26,402 are active and 1,483 are believed to be in a critical condition.
The Saudi ministry of health also reported 1,175 recoveries, pushing the number to 71,791, and 34 deaths raising the toll to 676.
Riyadh continues to lead the cities in number of cases with 900 people testing positive yesterday, followed by Jeddah, with 572 infections.
Meanwhile, authorities have closed down 39 mosques anew after infections were suspected among worshippers or those in charge of the facilities. Last week, Saudi Arabia reopened mosques except in Makkah.
Saudi authorities have closed down 39 mosques anew in the kingdom after coronavirus infections were suspected among worshippers or those in charge of the sites, Saudi-owned television Al Arabiya reported.
The decision was taken by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Call as part of strict health measures to curb the spread of the highly contagious disease.
Those mosques are being sterilised, the television added without specifying their locations.
Last week, Saudi Arabia reopened mosques except in Makkah, in line with a plan to gradually return to normal life.
Authorities have put in place a set of precautions for performing group prayers in mosques.
They include opening mosques 15 minutes before the Adhan and close them 10 minutes after the end of the prayer with the interval between the Adhan and the start of the prayer shortened to 10 minutes.
Worshippers are kept apart with a distance of two metres. Children under 15 are barred from going to mosques as a preventive measure.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has reported the highest single-day increase in coronavirus infections yesterday after 3,121 people were found to have been infected.
This pushes the total number of confirmed cases in the kingdom to 98,869, of which 26,402 are active cases; 1,483 patients are believed to be in critical condition.
Oman has recorded 930 new cases, raising to 16,016 the overall infections, the Omani news agency ONA reported yesterday.