Jeddah skyline Saudi Arabia
Residential and commercial properties sit on the city skyline beside a highway in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Picture for illustrative purposes only. Image Credit: Bloomberg

Dubai: The Saudi Ministry of Health on Friday began carrying out the 3rd phase of the expanded checkup to assess the rate of Coronavirus (COVID-19) spread, in Mecca and Medina, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Mecca and Medina are included in the first step and are to be followed later by Riyadh, next week, with other areas to be covered later on.

The ministry has recently announced it is going to launch the 3rd phase, in continuation of precautionary and preventive measures to stop the spread of the virus, maintain the health and safety of all citizens and residents, alike.

However, the ministry added that the 3rd phase will not cover indoor checkup or houses’ visits, as it will be done through various outlets including: Checkup inside cars via dedicated centers set up in many cities and checkups done in first medical care centers, while booking to set sample taking appointments by citizens and residents, themselves, via online application: Sahaty, or literally my health.

Saudi Arabia has seen a consistent downward trend in number of COVID-19 infections and a spike in number of recoveries in the last few days.

On Friday, 1,581 new coronavirus cases were reported and 2,460 new recoveries while on Thuirsday the ministry of health reported 1,644 new cases and 3,531new recoveries.