Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Among G20 states, Saudi Arabia ranks second to South Korea in terms of the speed in outing the results of the COVID-19 medical tests. In the Kingdom, the results of around 50 percent of samples were made public within 14 hours while 80 percent of the sample results came out within 20 hours.

The duration that takes more than 24 hours for the results after taking the samples account for only 10 percent.

The ministry of health is striving to achieve 100 percent in bringing out the results within 24 hours after collecting samples. The Kingdom is one of the first countries in the world to ensure laboratory testing for the virus, as it has prepared and equipped the national laboratory at the Saudi Center for Disease Prevention and Control (Weqaya), which is the only referral laboratory for examining coronavirus cases.

The ministry recently launched a number of specialized laboratories and units throughout the Kingdom to make a qualitative leap and improved services by obtaining test results within a record period of time, and also contributed to strengthening the prevention of coronavirus.

The ministry launched the Tetamman clinics in various regions of the Kingdom to serve those wishing to check their health when they feel symptoms of coronavirus such as a high temperature or respiratory problems. It is possible to go directly to these clinics without prior appointment after registering on the Tetemman app. These clinics also operate around-the-clock while some of them for 16 hours and seven days a week.

The ministry also announced the completion of the operation of the third phase of the Taakad (make sure) drive-through testing centers in various cities across the Kingdom without the need to visit hospitals.

This was part of the expanded examination to assess the rate of spread of coronavirus, as it was implemented through several outlets, including examining people inside cars through dedicated centers with several car tracks that were established in several cities, as well as testing in primary health care centers.

Citizens and expatriates are allowed to book appointments to make samples themselves through online application Sihhati (My Health). The ministry will continue to expand testing and launch laboratories designed to conduct them at the highest quality levels.