COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia: the national health response

Abstract

Background: With the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), most countries rushed to take early measures to control this disease. Aims: This paper describes and evaluates the Saudi Arabian strategic preparedness and response plan on COVID-19 up to 31 December 2020. Methods: Saudi Arabia adopted the World Health Organization’s guidelines on response to COVID-19, which are based on nine pillars of public health preparedness and response. The measures Saudi Arabia took are assessed against these pillars. Results: In response to COVID-19, Saudi Arabia prepared public and private institutions to deal with the pandemic. Saudi authorities established a governance system comprised of responsible committees to continuously monitor national and international updates, trace contacts, screen the population, raise awareness and take proper actions to contain the spread of this disease. After the announcement of the first case in Saudi Arabia, all schools, social events, sports activities, domestic travel and international flights were suspended. Restrictions on social movement, social and religious gatherings, travel and businesses were imposed ahead of the first 100 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The Hajj pilgrimage for 2020 was scaled down to limit participants and no cases of COVID-19 were detected among pilgrims. The country maintained all basic health services and immunization programmes and supported all proposals for COVID-19 drugs and vaccines. The country is working to develop its capacity to produce these products and achieve self-sufficiency. Conclusion: Saudi Arabia took extreme measures to respond to COVID-19 which contributed to limiting the spread and effect of the disease.

Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Saudi Red Crescent Experience Throughout COVID-19 Era

“…1 National and international efforts in prehospital settings continue to identify clinical characteristics, risk factors, modes of transmission, and outcomes of COVID-19 to curb the spread of the disease in the communities. [11][12][13][14][15][16] In KSA, efforts were taken to contain the pandemic through contact tracing, implementing curfew measures, and suspending domestic and international flights in early phases. 14 Moreover, the surge capacity of hospitals was increased by 50% and the demand for prehospital services was evident.…”

“…[11][12][13][14][15][16] In KSA, efforts were taken to contain the pandemic through contact tracing, implementing curfew measures, and suspending domestic and international flights in early phases. 14 Moreover, the surge capacity of hospitals was increased by 50% and the demand for prehospital services was evident. 14 In addition, ambulances were to follow a strict local infection control protocol to prevent the spread of the disease among prehospital healthcare personnel and transported patients.…”

“…14 Moreover, the surge capacity of hospitals was increased by 50% and the demand for prehospital services was evident. 14 In addition, ambulances were to follow a strict local infection control protocol to prevent the spread of the disease among prehospital healthcare personnel and transported patients. Collectively, this affected the efficiency and response times to OHCA during the COVID-19 era.…”

“…Collectively, this affected the efficiency and response times to OHCA during the COVID-19 era. 14 A recent scoping review of the OHCA in the gulf region showed a variety of demographic data, low CPR rates, and fewer ROSCs in the gulf region compared with several western-based studies. 17 In our study, we included a total of 1307 OHCA between April and June 2021.…”

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Concerning COVID-19 Among Undergraduate Students of Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences at King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Surveyed Study

“…The authors designed the questionnaire, in accordance with following the guidelines of the Ministry of Health of KSA for COVID-19 disease, and WHO. [9][10][11] The questionnaire is composed of four essential parts. The first part of the questionnaire collected information on students' socio-demographic characteristics including gender, age, and departments.…”