Health Minister Dr Basel Al-Sabah

KUWAIT: Kuwait has recorded new COVID-19 cases below the 800 mark for two days in another sign of improvement regarding the health situation in the country. The Ministry of Health on Saturday reported six COVID-19 deaths and 795 infections registered in the previous 24 hours. It had reported 763 coronavirus infections and seven deaths on Friday. The figures took the country's death toll to 1,687 and the caseload to 290,801, noted the ministry's spokesperson Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad. The ministry announced 1,047 recoveries on Saturday and 1,191 on Friday, raising the total to 276,792.

He added that the number of people hospitalized with the virus stood at 12,322 as of Saturday, including 194 currently in ICUs. Dr Sanad revealed Saturday that some 14,178 swabs were conducted over the previous two days, bringing the total to 2.45 million. He renewed calls to abide by health precautions to curb the spread of the virus.

Separately, Health Minister Dr Basel Al-Sabah on Saturday expressed his hope to develop and enhance the strong and deep relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), which extends for more than 60 years since Kuwait joint its membership in May of 1960. Coinciding with the preparation to open a permanent office for the organization in Kuwait, Dr Basel welcomed the organization's initiative to announce the allocation of a page on its official website bearing the name of Kuwait and its contributions to the organization.

The minister pointed out the relations between the two sides abounds many important initiatives in different fields. In this regard, he referred to the award of the late Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah that were given under the World Health Organization for the best researches, initiatives, and contributions in the field of elders Health and enhancing health care. Dr Basel Al-Sabah revealed that this year's award would be presented on May 28, 2021 to the National Center for Gerontology in China.

The ceremony will be held on the sidelines of the 74th session of the World Health Organization Assembly in Geneva. Kuwait Health Minister previously announced finalizing the preparations to open the organization's permanent office that will give chances to develop and improve policies, plans, and health programs that are consistent to the latest related developments. - KUNA