RIYADH — Saudi Arabia reported 110 new cases of the deadly coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in the Kingdom to 1,563, the Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday. Two new deaths were also reported, raising the number of fatalities in the country to 10, Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdel Ali, spokesman of the ministry, said in a press briefing. He said that a total of 165 people have recovered from the coronavirus, with the recording of 50 new recovery cases. "A total of 31 people are in critical condition while the most of the infected people are stable and doing well," he added. Abdel Ali said the two new deaths were of expatriates in Madinah who had tested positive for the virus. Out of the 110 new cases, 33 were reported in Riyadh, 29 in Jeddah, 20 in Makkah, seven in Qatif, and four in Al-Khobar. Three cases each were confirmed in Dammam and Madinah, two each in Hofuf, Dhahran, and Jazan while one case each was reported in Al-Badaea, Abha, Khafji, Ras Tanura and Khamis Mushait. The ministry spokesman emphasized that the next phase is an extension of the phases of protection and prevention, calling on citizens and expatriates in the Kingdom to adhere to preventive health measures and official regulations. He also underlined the need to adhere to the guidelines with regard to stay at home, and avoid roaming and mixing with people as well as to take care of personal hygiene, with continuous washing of hands at regular intervals. For his part, Brig. Gen. Sami Al-Showairekh, spokesman of Public Security, said that there is a "crisis cell" that works around the clock to study the requests for movement between cities and regions, saying that permission is granted in accordance with the priority of cases. "More than 20,000 requests have already been received, of which the approval was given to 150 cases," he said. Al-Showairekh appealed for cooperation of all in this regard while warning that punitive measures would be taken against anyone who violates the curfew orders and movement restrictions. He pointed out that there has been great cooperation from the part of quarantined neighborhoods in Makkah. Meanwhile, Abdul Rahman Al-Hussein, spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce, recommended that shopping between six and 11 in the morning is more ideal and comfortable for people. He pointed out that there are 20 licensed apps serving in the field of home delivery of essential goods. "There is complete control over the prices of goods through all outlets," he said adding that an increase in the prices of some fruits has been recorded. More than 1,300 violations have been filed with regard to exorbitant price rise, he said while calling on the public to inform the ministry in the event of any violation or manipulation in prices. "Fines, reaching up to SR1 million, would be imposed instantly on price manipulators," he warned.
