KUWAIT: Kuwait's confirmed coronavirus cases increased by 742 to 131,205 in the past 24 hours, while the death toll raised to 808 after four patients passed away within the same period, the health ministry said yesterday. In the meantime, 626 people have recovered from the virus in the past 24 hours, upping the total number of recoveries to 121,889, the ministry had confirmed earlier. Kuwait had crossed the 130,000 and 800 thresholds of total cases and deaths respectively on Friday, when the health ministry announced 825 new infections and five fatalities, in addition to 699 recoveries.

There are 114 patients currently receiving intensive care, down from 115 on Friday, out of a total of 8,508 patients being hospitalized, ministry spokesman Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad said. Some 5,278 swab tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, out of a total of 960,725 so far, added the spokesman. The official reiterated the strict need to abide by health precautions, urging the public to follow social distancing rules as the only way to keep the virus at bay.

'Utmost caution'
Health Minister Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah had reiterated the need to maintain 'utmost caution' to curb the spread of the disease, and that during a briefing on the country's COVID-19 pandemic situation during an extraordinary Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

Furthermore, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health Dr Mustafa Redha, Assistant Undersecretary for Technical Affairs Dr Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, and Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs and Dr Buthaina Al-Mudhaf briefed the Cabinet on the measures taken in face of the COVID-19 pandemic, which included a detailed explanation of the situation. They also explained the treatment protocols used according to global recommendations in the light of infection and post-infection with the virus.

GCC efforts
Health Minister Sheikh Dr Basel had also participated in a discussion the GCC countries' effort in controlling the COVID-19 virus. This came during his participation in the 83rd annual Conference of the GCC's Health Ministers' Council on Thursday, which also delved into exchange of views and opinions on a number of health issues, including improving health safety, emergency response and strategies systems, said Dr Rehab Al-Wutayan, Head of the International Relations Administration of the Health Ministry. The 2020-2030 Health cities ideas and programs were also conversed, which include strengthening the abilities of those working in the health field, and encouraging the public towards a healthier lifestyle. - KUNA