JEDDAH: Overweight or obese people needed to change their lifestyle habits or run the risk of complications in the event of contracting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Saudi health officials have warned.
There was no time like the present to adopt a healthier approach to eating, said Saudi assistant minister of health and ministry spokesman, Dr. Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aly.
“Obese people are in the high-risk category. Obesity that is considered to cause diseases has a higher chance of causing complications in COVID-19 patients.
“It is important to remind ourselves and those around us that this is an opportunity to change our lifestyle and take care of our health; it is an opportunity to return to your ideal weight.
“It is important not only to protect oneself from the virus and its complications, but a wide spectrum of diseases related to obesity,” he added.
Al-Aly pointed out the vital need for people to continue to follow health and safety rules aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19.
“Since the pandemic is still ongoing, we should continue to take precautionary measures including wearing a mask, social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings. We can return carefully following these instructions,” he said.
He noted that COVID-19 patients should try to avoid becoming overconcerned about their health as excessive worrying could have a damaging effect on emotional and physical well-being.
“Being overly fearful and anxious is not acceptable. An overreaction is sometimes worse than contracting a certain disease. COVID-19 patients must not panic and should remind themselves that most cases are curable, and most patients have recovered and responded well to treatment, even critical ones.”
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia announced on Wednesday that another 27 people had died after contracting COVID-19, taking the death toll to 3,956. There were 816 new cases reported in the Kingdom, meaning 317,486 people had now had the disease. Officials said 21,020 cases were active, with 1,523 patients in critical condition.
According to the Ministry of Health, Madinah and Hail recorded the highest number of new cases in the Kingdom with 45 each, while Riyadh reported 44, and Jeddah 43.
In addition, 996 more patients had recovered from COVID-19, taking the total number of recoveries in the Kingdom to 292,510.
Saudi Arabia had so far conducted 5,160,518 polymerase chain reaction tests, with 52,643 checks having been carried out in the last 24-hour period.
Tackling obesity key to cutting risk of COVID-19 complications
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Tackling obesity key to cutting risk of COVID-19 complications
- Health Ministry reports 816 new coronavirus cases, 996 recoveries, 27 deaths
UAE, Syria foreign ministers arrive in Riyadh
- Welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Saudi Deputy FM Waleed Al-Khuraiji
RIYADH: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the UAE deputy prime minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, arrived in Riyadh on Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He was welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji.
Sheikh Abdullah is in the Kingdom to attend an expanded ministerial meeting on Syria to be hosted by Saudi Arabia on Sunday, SPA added.
New Syrian foreign minister Asaad Al-Shaibani also arrived in Riyadh on Saturday evening to participate in the ministerial meeting.
He was also welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Al-Khuraiji.
Saudi Arabia condemns attack on Chad’s presidential palace
- The attack, which occurred on Wednesday, involved gunmen attempting to storm the palace
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Saturday strongly condemned the recent attack on the presidential palace in N’Djamena, Chad, which left 19 people dead, including a soldier guarding the complex, and injured others.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s steadfast support for Chad’s security and stability, while rejecting any actions that threaten the country’s peace, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In its statement, the Ministry extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the fallen soldier and to the government and people of Chad. The Kingdom also wished a swift recovery for those injured in the assault.
The attack, which occurred on Wednesday, involved gunmen reportedly linked to Boko Haram attempting to storm the presidential palace, prompting a fierce battle.
The Chadian government confirmed that 18 attackers from a 24-member commando unit were killed in the fighting, alongside one security personnel. Tanks were deployed to secure the area.
GCC secretary general receives New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia
- Al-Budaiwi congratulated Kingston on his appointment as New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, wishing him success in his duties
RIYADH: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Al-Budaiwi recently received New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Charles Kingston at the General Secretariat’s headquarters in Riyadh.
Al-Budaiwi congratulated Kingston on his appointment as New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, wishing him success in his duties, the General Secretariat wrote in a report.
During the meeting, they also discussed a number of topics of mutual interest, notably the progress of negotiations for the free trade agreement between the GCC countries and updates on the joint action plan between the two sides. They also exchanged views on several regional and international issues.
Saudi authority issues health warning on food import
RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority issued a warning about Country Butcher Boy beef pepperoni, manufactured in the UAE.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the 250-gram packages with an expiration date of March 1, 2025, are contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium posing serious health risks, confirmed by lab tests.
The authority advised the public to avoid consuming the product and dispose of any units they may have.
Steps have been taken to remove the contaminated product from the market, and regulatory action is being pursued against the importing company, the SPA reported.
Violations of food laws can result in severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison, fines of up to SR10 million ($2.6 million), or both.
The authority reiterated its commitment to food safety and will continue taking action against violators. Consumers can report food safety concerns to the authority’s call center at 19999.
Thai Embassy joins Riyadh greening initiative
RIYADH: The Royal Thai Embassy recently took part in a volunteer initiative at Aba Samri National Park in the Murat governorate of Riyadh region, in collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.
Part of the National Greening Season, the activity aims to enhance vegetation, curb land degradation, and plant native and adaptive species, supporting the Saudi Green Initiative, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The embassy’s involvement promotes vegetation restoration and aligns with the center’s call for broader environmental engagement from all sectors. The scheme improves air quality, reduces dust storms and restores ecosystems, the SPA added.
The National Greening Season, a core element of the broader program, fosters public-private partnerships, volunteerism, and awareness about afforestation and combating desertification.
The center leads efforts to protect and restore vegetation sites across Saudi Arabia, addressing challenges such as wildfires, illegal logging and unregulated grazing to safeguard natural ecosystems.
