Deserted streets in Makkah as Saudi Arabia imposes strict measures to control the spread of coronavirus infections. AFP
Deserted streets in Makkah as Saudi Arabia imposes strict measures to control the spread of coronavirus infections. AFP
Deserted streets in Makkah as Saudi Arabia imposes strict measures to control the spread of coronavirus infections. AFP
Deserted streets in Makkah as Saudi Arabia imposes strict measures to control the spread of coronavirus infections. AFP

Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia detects 1,132 new cases


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Saudi Arabia is conducting intensive screening for Covid-19 infection in densely populated areas and worker compounds, the health ministry said on Saturday as it announced 1,132 new cases detected in the preceding 24 hours.

A health ministry spokesman said five patients died in the same period, raising the kingdom's death toll from the disease to 92, while 208 had recovered.

The spokesman said the new cases took the number of confirmed Covid-19 infections in the kingdom to 8,274, the highest among Gulf states. There are currently 6,853 active cases and 78 in critical condition, while the total numbers of patients who have recovered is 1,329.

The health ministry plans to expand its screening programme across the kingdom, with teams working round the clock, according to a statement released on the state Saudi Press Agency.

The Saudi interior ministry meanwhile announced that two more areas of the kingdom had been placed under isolation to prevent the spread of the virus. The total ban on the entering or leaving the districts of Al Faisaliah and Al Fadhliyah in Al Ihsa governorate will remain in force until further notice, it said.

In Oman, health authorities announced 111 new cases detected since Friday.

The Omani health ministry said 33 of the new cases were among Omanis.

The sultanate has detected 1,180 Covid-19 cases so far, of which six were fatal, the ministry said.

The number of fatalities in Kuwait rose to six on Saturday with the death of a 68-year-old Bengali man after nine days in intensive care, a health ministry spokesman said.

Dr Abdullah Al Sanad said 93 more cases had been detected since Friday, raising the country's total to 1,751.

There are 1,465 Covid-19 patients being treated in hospital, of whom 34 are in intensive care with 18 in critical condition.

The ministry earlier announced the recovery of 22 more patients, bring the total number of recoveries to 280.

The number of coronavirus cases in Qatar rose to 5,008 with 345 new infections detected since Friday, according to figures posted on the health ministry's Twitter account.

There are 4,490 Covid-19 cases still under treatment and 510 recoveries, including 46 since Friday, while one more patient died, raising the death toll to eight.

Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
  1. Join parent networks
  2. Look beyond school fees
  3. Keep an open mind
Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE