Saudi Health Minister: COVID-19 Cases Could Reach 200,000

Studies show that in just a few short weeks, COVID-19 cases in Saudi could reach between 10,000 to 200,000.

And if the numbers reach these dizzying heights, the Saudi health system could not cope, according to a stark warning which comes directly from Tawfik Al-Rabiah, Saudi’s Health Minister.

In an address to the nation, he confirmed Saudi cases are the highest in the Gulf and that experts have suggested the numbers will rise to between 10,000 and 200,000 DEPENDING on how compliant the public is with the ‘stay home’ initiatives.

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The Minister added that although Saudi took a proactive approach to fight the virus, there are two main problems:

Due to a lack of supplies in global markets, Saudi may face a shortage IF the number of infections increases

First: Lack of sufficient supplies in the global markets of medical equipment and supplies for our future needs if the number of infections are enormously increased.#SPAGOV

— SPAENG (@Spa_Eng) April 7, 2020

Second, if the public fails to abide by precautionary measures

Second: Negligence of some society's members to abide by the precautionary measures may rise infections – as studies have confirmed – to levels that the health sector cannot meet.#SPAGOV

— SPAENG (@Spa_Eng) April 7, 2020

On Tuesday, Saudi announced the 24-hour curfew was extended

The Saudi Press Agency announced the full-day curfew has been extended to Riyadh, Tabouk, Dammam, Dhahran, Hofuf, Jeddah, Taif, Qatif and Khobar. The 24-hour curfew is already in place in a number of areas in Jeddah as well as Mecca and Medina

The total number of cases in Saudi now stands at 2795

Spokesperson of the Health Ministry announces 272 cases of coronavirus in the Kingdom, bringing the total cases to 2795 cases, 2139 of which are active.#SPAGOV

— SPAENG (@Spa_Eng) April 7, 2020

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