Saudi Arabia records highest daily coronavirus case count
Saudi Arabia now has the highest number of coronavirus cases in the Gulf region despite adopting one of the strongest lockdown measures in the Middle East
Saudi Arabia recorded 3,717 new coronavirus cases and 36 new deaths, the country's Health Ministry said today — the highest daily number of infections, according to government statistics.
The kingdom has been recording more than 3,000 cases for the past four days, pushing the total number of coronavirus infections in the country to at least 112,288, reports the CNN.
At least 819 people have died, the ministry added.
Saudi Arabia now has the highest number of coronavirus cases in the Gulf region despite adopting one of the strongest lockdown measures in the Middle East.
The capital city of Riyadh and the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina were subject to 24-hour curfews in April and movements were restricted during Muslim Eid holidays.
The country started easing lockdown measures at the end of May, permitting mosque prayers and mall openings with plans to completely lift lockdown measures by June 20.
Last week the country reimposed a curfew on the second largest city, Jeddah due to increasing cases and hinted at possible stringent curfews on other cities, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Back in April, Saudi advised Muslims planning on attending the upcoming Islamic Hajj pilgrimage to put their plans on hold due to coronavirus.The Hajj attracts around 2.5 million people every year to Mecca and Medina. Saudi Arabia has yet to announce their plans with the pilgrimage expected to start July 28.