Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — Assistant Minister of Health and the Ministry Spokesman Dr. Mohamed Al-Abdel Ali revealed that it was found that 75 percent of the recently confirmed cases of coronavirus were due to wrong behaviors of people in terms of laxity in following protocols.

“The month of January witnessed a jump of 200 percent in coronavirus infections from the lowest point, which was recorded in the first week of January,” he said while attending the daily press conference to brief on the latest coronavirus situation and developments.

“We are the causes for the surge in the cases either through family events or wedding parties where there were gatherings of large numbers of people. What was observed in these gatherings are of shaking hands, not wearing masks, and not keeping social distance in addition to matters far from the necessary behaviors in such unprecedented pandemic circumstances,” the spokesman said.

Referring to the weekly casualty map, Al-Abdel Ali said that the map showed a spread and an increase in the number of monitored cases in almost all regions of the Kingdom.

“The curve of confirmed cases in recent weeks showed a resurgence, as January witnessed a clear increase of 200 percent in infections from the lowest point it was recorded in the first week of January and until now, and the critical cases curve witnessed an increase of 20 percent from the lowest point recorded since mid-January until now.

“All these indicators are a cause for concern, and highlight the importance of taking more vigilance and caution and not putting at risk our lives and the lives of others,” he said. The Ministry of Health announced on Sunday the registration of 261 new cases of coronavirus while 274 additional cases recovered, and three deaths were reported.

Taking part in the press conference, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Preventive Health Dr. Abdullah Asiri said that those who take vaccination against coronavirus could be a possible carrier of the virus, stressing that vaccines are effective in preventing infection of the person who received the vaccination, and reducing the possibility of afflicting with severe disease following infection.

“It is not known at the present time whether vaccines prevent carrying the virus and transmitting it to others or not, as the general rule confirms that obtaining the two doses of the approved vaccine does not necessarily mean the possibility of stopping adherence to the precautionary measures and preventive protocols,” he said, adding that there won’t be any changes in the rules to comply with these protocols.