Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — A senior official in the health ministry has attributed the recent sharp increase in the number of coronavirus cases in Riyadh to the population density in the capital city.

"During the past days, we have seen a lot of COVID-19 cases among the youth. These are mainly asymptomatic cases and a possible cause of the spread and transmission of the infection in their homes in large numbers. These youth have possibly been in noncompliance of the precautionary and preventative measures," Assistant Undersecretary for Preventive Health at the ministry Abdullah Asiri said.

In a statement to Al-Ekhbariah TV Channel, Abdullah Asiri said drivers could also be a source of infection, if they do not abide by the preventative measures.

Asiri maintained that the intake capacity of health facilities in Riyadh city is good due to the availability of a good number of intensive care (ICU) and hospital beds. However, the situation could reverse because of the continued detection of a large number of infections.

Asiri called on all citizens and expatriates to strictly comply with the precautionary and preventive measures. “If everyone is committed to the precautionary and preventive measures, in a few weeks we would see a drop in the number of afflicted cases, as has happened in several other countries,” he said.

Asiri stressed that "the greater the pressure on intensive care facilities, the greater the need for more intensive procedures."

He said that recording high rates of infection for a long time is a cause for concern, and it indicates the existence of active transmission of infection in society, and the urgent need to raise compliance with the preventive measures and commitment to mandatory social distancing and a regular use of face masks.