In line with the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s plans to increase the number of COVID-19 tests throughout the country for the early detection of infections, particularly among those who had contact with already infected cases, the Ministry has conducted 38,000 additional tests.

Testing resulted in the detection of 873 new cases among various nationalities, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 25,063.

The new cases are in a stable condition and undergoing the necessary medical treatment.

The Ministry also announced the death of three patients from various nationalities due to complications arising from COVID-19. The total number of deaths from COVID-19 in the country now stands at 227.

The Ministry offered its sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to patients currently undergoing medical care.

The Ministry also announced that 1,214 people infected with the virus have fully recovered after receiving the necessary medical care, bringing the total number of recoveries to 10,791.

The Ministry called upon the public to adhere to health guidelines and instructions from the relevant authorities, particularly concerning social distancing, for the sake of the health and safety of all.

Recently, His Excellency Dr. Hussein Abdel Rahman Al-Rand, Undersecretary of the Ministry’s Health Assistant Sector, Health Centers and Clinics, pointed out that family medicine is one of the international quality standards, through which the cultural and health level of countries is measured and assessed, thanks to its pivotal role in health care systems around the world.

He commended the efforts of family doctors in supporting and assisting their fellow doctors on the frontline of defense to fight COVID-19 and to provide the necessary health care, which contributed to the increased recovery rates.

Al-Rand added: “Although the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, are focused on fighting COVID-19 pandemic as a national health priority, it did not overlook the development of the operational plans to ensure the continuity of its various health services without interruption. One of the key services provided is the family doctor one, due to its pivotal role in preventive and curative healthcare and as a central point in the health system.”

Dr. Aisha Suhail, Director of the Primary Health Care Department, said: “Family doctors are the mainstay of the holistic and patient-centered health care to achieve the goal of universal health coverage. Since the beginning of this year, the key role of family doctors in managing the COVID-19 pandemic has become more apparent, by supporting and assisting the frontline of defense and providing effective health care to the community.”

She added: “While the world is facing the challenges posed by COVID-19 in health, social, and economic fields, the contributions of family doctors were supportive and impactful on managing the health situation.”

Suhail thanked family doctors for their dedication, commitment, courage, and relentless efforts in maintaining people's health and saving patients’ lives, wishing them and the medical cadres good health and the speedy recovery for patients.