The committee concerned with following up the health situation of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) held here today its 40th meeting under chairmanship of Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawazan Al-Rabiah in presence of the committee members representing a number of relevant governmental sectors. The committee reviewed the reports and developments of the virus as well as the epidemiological situation of the virus worldwide including the confirmed cases in the Kingdom and assuring their health situations, affirming the importance of continuation of applying and enhancing all precautionary measures in all entry ports as well as all precautionary measures to confront and contain this virus. The committee hailed everyone's commitment with the curfew order, calling on them to stay at home except in cases of necessity arises. Following the meeting, Dr. Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aali, spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, Lt. Col. Talal Al-Shalhoub, Security Spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior, and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Environment Water and Agriculture Dr. Abdullah Aba Al-Khail held a joint press conference. The Spokesperson of the Health Ministry disclosed that the total number of confirmed cases with the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) around the world amounted to 734,000, adding that 152,000 cases recovered so far. He disclosed that the number of deaths reached 34,000. "As many as 154 new cases of COVID-19 are confirmed in the Kingdom, including travel-linked 16 cases who are isolated since their arrival to the Kingdom's ports. 138 cases are recorded recently for persons who were in contact with previous cases. All of the cases are under health observation," he added. "The confirmed cases covered many cities in the Kingdom, including 40 in Makkah, 34 in Dammam, 22 in Riyadh, 22 in Madinah, 9 in Jeddah, 6 in Hafouf, 6 in Khobar, 5 in Qatif, 2 in Taif and one in each of Yanbu, Buraydah, Al-Ras, Khamis Mushait, Dhahran, Samtah, Dawadmi and Tabuk" he said, pointing out that 49 new cases are recovered as follows: 40 in Makkah, 6 in Jeddah, one in Hafouf and 2 in Riyadh with no new deaths of COVID-19. He added that the critical cases included 10 in Madinah, one in each of Dhahran, Hafouf, Abha, Al-Baha, Dammam and Khobar, two in each of Riyadh and Makkah. The Health Spokesperson stated that the accumulated COVID-19 cases in the Kingdom are 1453, adding that the accumulated number of recoveries is 116 with 8 confirmed deaths. He called on everyone, who has symptoms or would like to assess, to use the self-assessment service in MAWID electronic application, inquire or consult the Health Center (937) around the clock. --More 20:26 LOCAL TIME 17:26 GMT 0030 www.spa.gov.sa/2053122