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JEDDAH: Saudi health chiefs on Wednesday marked the country’s 90th National Day by highlighting some of the Kingdom’s successes in combating the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The government’s quick response in containing the outbreak had contributed to the Kingdom being placed among the top 20 nations on a Forbes ranking list of the 100 safest countries for COVID-19.
Examples of pioneering research and high standards in lab testing were also among the achievements spotlighted by officials.
“The Kingdom is always used as one of the top examples for managing the spread (of COVID-19), recording cases immediately, and handling the pandemic,” said assistant minister of health and ministry spokesman, Dr. Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aly.
��������Ƶ had conducted more than 6 million polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, fielded over 18 million inquiries to its 937 call center helpline, and dealt with at least 4 million people at its Tetamman (rest assured) clinics and Takkad (make sure) centers.
“All these numbers indicate the Kingdom’s management and medical services are always made available for everyone,” he added.
Questions relating to test results were among the most common handled by call center staff. “The PCR test in the Kingdom is made very accessible and quick. ��������Ƶ is considered one of the most unique and fastest countries in the world in terms of the lab tests,” Al-Aly said.
In more than 95 percent of cases, test results were turned around within 24 hours, he added, with some requiring specialist analysis taking up to 48 hours.
A total of 561 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the Kingdom on Wednesday, meaning 331,359 people in ��������Ƶ had now contracted the disease. There were 13,004 active cases, of which 1,095 patients were in serious or critical condition.
Additionally, 1,102 more patients recovered from the disease, taking the number of recoveries to 313,786, while 27 new deaths had been reported, raising the death toll to 4,569.
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