JEDDAH: The number of Saudis registering to receive the coronavirus vaccine has doubled in the last three days, the Saudi Health Ministry has said, predicting that registrations “could soon pass the 1 million mark.”
After Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received his first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, Saudis began to register en masse to join the inoculation plan, according to Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah.
“Registration to receive the COVID-19 vaccine increased five-fold in the Kingdom hours after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received his first dose,” he said.
The ministry announced earlier that more than 737,000 people already signed up to receive the vaccine following the launch of the national inoculation campaign last week.
Appearing on Saudi news channel Al-Ekhbariya, Dr. Hani Jokhdar, deputy minister for public health, said that the ministry expects the number of people registered to exceed 1 million in the next few days.
Jokhdar, who is an infectious disease control and prevention consultant, said that after receiving a second dose of the vaccine, the human body becomes fully immunized against coronavirus in about 10 days.
Jokhdar allayed fears over the new mutation of coronavirus, saying “it is the same disease.”
He said: “The coronavirus has just genetically mutated to take another form, but with the same characteristics. This mutation did not change the nature of the virus, its form or even the diseases and symptoms it is known to cause.”
He added that, while some studies have found that the mutation can spread faster, some doubts still remain over its potency.
“The findings are still under extensive studies and evaluation. Even in the countries where the mutant strains of the virus were reported, doctors deal with the patients the same way they do with COVID-19,” he said. “Ordinary people cannot differentiate between the two types. Physicians can. However, patients with both coronavirus and the new strain are given the same medication.”
The genetic transformation of coronavirus has neither changed the nature of the virus or made it more ferocious, he added.
The deputy minister said that the Health Ministry is examining all available scientific reports on the new strain.
The ministry earlier urged the public to take part in the vaccination drive by registering through the Sehaty app. The vaccination will be carried out in three stages, with each stage targeting a specific demographic. The ministry also reassured the country of the vaccine’s safety
and efficacy.
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday reported 10 new COVID-19-related deaths. The death toll now stands at 6,214.
There were 113 new cases reported in the Kingdom, meaning 362,601 people have now contracted the disease. There are 2,705 active cases, 387 of which are in critical condition.
According to the ministry, 44 of the newly recorded cases were in Riyadh, 18 in Makkah and 13 in Madinah.
In addition, 170 more patients have recovered from coronavirus, bringing the total number of recoveries in the Kingdom to 353,682.
Saudi Arabia has so far conducted 10,973,855 PCR tests, with 36,149 carried out in the past 24 hours.
Saudi health clinics set up by the ministry as testing hubs or treatment centers have helped hundreds of thousands of people around the Kingdom since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Among those testing hubs are Taakad (make sure) centers and Tetamman (rest assured) clinics.
Taakad centers provide COVID-19 testing for those who show no or mild symptoms or believe they have come into contact with an infected individual, while Tetamman clinics offer treatment and advice to those with virus symptoms, such as fever, loss of taste and smell, and breathing difficulties.
Appointments to either service can be made through the health ministry’s Sehaty app.
Saudi Arabia vaccine registrations ‘could soon pass million mark’
https://arab.news/2qetk
Saudi Arabia vaccine registrations ‘could soon pass million mark’
- Health Ministry reports 113 new virus cases, 170 recoveries, 10 deaths
Farasan Islands celebrate annual harid fish arrival
RIYADH: The shores of the Farasan Islands are witnessing the annual arrival of large schools of harid fish, which travel for months from the Indian Ocean, through the Arabian Sea, and into the Red Sea.
The harid fish, or parrotfish, is a diverse species inhabiting coral reefs and plays a key role in the marine ecosystem.
Recognizable by its parrot-like beak and vibrant colors, the harid thrives in coral-rich habitats, with over 90 species, each having unique shapes and colors.
Farasan, a group of coral islands 40 km off Jazan’s coast, becomes the site of this natural event as vast schools of harid fish gather, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Residents can predict the fish’s arrival by a distinct scent carried from the sea after sunset on the 15th day of the lunar month.
The annual harid catch, celebrated in late April, is a tradition reflecting the islands’ cultural heritage and has brought joy to Farasan for centuries.
Recognizing the cultural and tourism significance of harid fishing, Jazan Gov. Prince Mohammed bin Nasser inaugurated the first Farasan Islands Harid Festival in 2005.
The 21st edition of the festival launched on Monday, showcasing the islands as a promising destination for tourists and investors.
The festival highlights Farasan’s unique customs, traditions, folk games, handicrafts, and historical sites, while also showcasing local handicrafts such as fishing traps, palm weaving, bag and rug creation, and hat knitting.
Saudi aid agency helps crisis-hit people worldwide
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief continues to deliver vital humanitarian assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
In Kenya, a KSrelief volunteer medical team performed 28 cochlear implant surgeries for children in a single day, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
They also provided speech and language rehabilitation for the children and held education sessions for their families.
In the Syrian Arab Republic, KSrelief distributed 650 clothing bags to orphaned children in Al-Bab, Afrin, and Akhtarin in Aleppo governorate.
The bags included new clothes suitable for children of various ages, to meet their needs and bring them joy.
In Jordan, KSrelief concluded its 30th volunteer program at the Zaatari refugee camp, involving 12 medical volunteers.
During the week-long campaign, the team provided healthcare to 1,141 beneficiaries, offering treatments in dermatology, gynecology, oncology, pediatrics, family medicine, and physical therapy.
In Yemen, KSrelief distributed 176 shelter bags and 45 tents in Al-Shihr district, Hadramout governorate, benefiting 1,056 individuals.
In Sudan, KSrelief distributed 1,660 food baskets to displaced and needy families in Ad-Daba, Northern State, benefiting 9,960 individuals.
Since its launch in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,393 projects worth nearly $7.9 billion across 106 countries, in partnership with more than 309 organizations.
Red Crescent invites volunteers for Hajj season
JEDDAH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority has opened volunteer registrations for this year’s Hajj season, continuing its mission to promote volunteerism and encourage community participation in humanitarian services.
As part of the initiative, volunteers are invited to join one of four main tracks, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The paramedic track focuses on delivering emergency first aid and rescue services before specialized teams arrive.
The humanitarian track involves offering care and assistance to pilgrims, including distributing snacks, water and guidance.
Those with creative skills can join the media track, which documents volunteer efforts through photography, videography and editing.
Meanwhile, the logistics track supports operations by handling the distribution, transportation, and storage of essential materials and equipment.
The authority encouraged people to register through its volunteer platform, describing volunteering with the Red Crescent as a meaningful opportunity to gain valuable skills, contribute to life-saving efforts and support the wider community.
Healthier and greener nation is focus of Environment Week 2025
- Aim to raise public awareness among school children
- ‘Our Environment is a Treasure,’ is the theme this year
RIYADH: The organizers of Saudi Arabia’s Environment Week are aiming to increase public engagement to secure a thriving and greener future for the country.
The event began on Sunday and was attended by Environment, Water and Agriculture Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir.
Reema Obaid, one of the participants, told Arab News: “We are here at the environmental awareness initiative, which is raising awareness about our environment for a healthier and greener environment.”
Obaid explained that children can gather at her booth to plant seeds or cuttings. Then they can either take their plants with them or donate them to national parks in the Kingdom.
Another activity is “Green Leader,” under the nation’s Environment Fund. It is a green bus symbolizing the country’s sustainability journey from the past to the present.
Weed Al-Balawi, a participant in the initiative, said they designed it to “deliver major concepts regarding sustainability, resource conservation, ancestral heritage, and technology in environmental conservation.”
The aim was to ensure a “simple and enjoyable way to benefit the target group, which is the age group from primary to intermediate school,” said Al-Balawi.
She said the education stations at the event were created for the public to experience how people used sustainable practices in the past on a daily basis to coexist with nature and biodiversity.
The final station at the event showed current practices, which includes how people are now using technology to protect the environment, said Al-Balawi.
One of the examples displayed was the camel’s watering place, where people would dig a small well for the animals next to the one they used for drinking.
This ancient technique was used to prevent diseases spreading from animals to humans, and to reduce the amount of wasted water.
The theme of this year’s event is “Our Environment is a Treasure” and will be held until April 26.
A highlight was the debut of the National Environmental Performance Index, a strategic tool to monitor progress and guide policy.
There were 13 agreements signed between the ministry’s entities and the private sector to improve collaboration in environmental projects.
Unusual ecosystem found deep below Red Sea coral reef
- Study by KAUST and National Center for Wildlife
- Marine animals thriving in low oxygen, high acidity
RIYADH: Marine scientists have found creatures thriving in deep waters of the Red Sea under seemingly unfavorable conditions of low oxygen levels and high acidity.
The unusual ecosystem was found in Difat Farasan near the border between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
It was reported in the science journal PNAS Nexus by a team of scientists from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and the National Center for Wildlife, KAUST said in a press statement posted on its website.
Also known as the Farasan Bank, Difat Farasan is located below the third-largest coral reef system in the world and biggest in the Red Sea.
Despite the low oxygen and high acidity, corals, fish and other animals were found to be thriving.
“Several of the creatures showed unexpected coping strategies to the extreme environment. Fish swam slower, and corals were healthy in conditions that normally prevent the calcification of their skeletons,” said the statement.
The study explained that calcification was “necessary for coral growth and survival.”
KAUST research scientist Dr. Shannon Klein, who led the study, said: “The ability for these animals to live in warm, oxygen-depleted zones suggests they have an unusual ability to reduce how much oxygen they use to sustain life.
“This discovery highlights the need for greater marine exploration of deeper layers (of) tropical coastal areas, as they may hold unexpected ecosystems.”
The study also noted that while coral reefs usually exist in shallow waters, depressions of more than 200 meters deep were found throughout the Farasan Bank coral reef system.
“Considering that oxygen depletion in the sea is one consequence of rising temperatures, greater study of how these creatures exist there may help us understand how marine life can withstand the challenges of climate change,” the study stated.
Dr. Mohammad Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, said: “This research highlights the significance of the Red Sea as a natural laboratory for studying marine resilience.
“Discovering ecosystems that thrive in extreme conditions expands our understanding of how marine life adapts and reinforces the need for continued exploration and conservation of these unique habitats.”
KAUST Assistant Prof. Froukje van der Zwan, Associate Prof. Francesca Benzoni and KAUST Ibn Sina Distinguished Prof. Carlos Duarte also contributed to the study.
