Daily virus cases continue to decline in Saudi Arabia

The coronavirus pandemic has affected over 109 million people globally and the death toll has reached around 2.4 million. (File/SPA)
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Updated 16 February 2021
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Daily virus cases continue to decline in Saudi Arabia

  • 341 more people recover from coronavirus disease in KSA
  • The highest number of cases were recorded in Riyadh with 154

JEDDAH: Following a recent spike in the number of virus cases, Saudi Arabia is witnessing a decline in infections amid strict measures to check the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The number of cases continues to remain below the 350-mark. The Health Ministry reported 314 new infections on Monday.
With the new cases, the total number of people affected by the virus in Saudi Arabia since the beginning of the pandemic has reached 373,046.
A total of 2,682 cases remain active, 472 of whom are in critical condition.
According to the Ministry, 154 of the newly recorded cases were in Riyadh, 60 in the Eastern Province, 47 in Makkah, and nine
in Madinah.
In addition, 341 patients have recovered from the disease, bringing the total to 363,926 recoveries.

The Kingdom reported five more deaths due to COVID-19-related complications on Monday. The death toll now stands at 6,483.
Saudi Arabia has so far conducted 13,055,569 PCR tests, with 49,060 carried out in the past 24 hours.
Saudi health clinics set up by the ministry as testing hubs or treatment centers have helped hundreds of thousands of people around the Kingdom since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Among those testing hubs are Taakad (make sure) centers and Tetamman (rest assured) clinics.
Taakad centers provide COVID-19 testing for those who show no or mild symptoms or believe they have come into contact with an infected individual, while the Tetamman clinics offer treatment and advice to those with virus symptoms, such as fever, loss of taste and smell, and breathing difficulties.

FASTFACTS

•The Health Ministry reported 314 new infections on Monday.

• A total of 2,682 cases remain active, 472 of whom are in critical condition.

• The Kingdom reported five more deaths due to COVID-19-related complications.

Appointments to either service can also be made through the ministry’s Sehhaty app.
Since their inception, Tetamman clinics have benefitted 1,948,438, while Taakad centers have received 1,512,466 people in Jeddah so far.
Saudis and expats in the Kingdom continue to receive their doses of the coronavirus vaccine, which they registered for through the Ministry of Health’s Sehhaty app.
The ministry called on anyone who has not registered for the COVID-19 vaccine to do so, to preserve their health and safety and that of their loved ones. There is free access to the vaccine for all Saudis and expats.
 
Public safety

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance temporarily closed eight more mosques across the country on Monday.
Over the past eight days, 70 mosques have shut their doors because of confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of those closed mosques, 57 had previously completed sanitization procedures to ensure the health of worshippers.

The Kingdom vs. COVID-19
How Saudi Arabia acted swiftly and coordinated a global response to fight the coronavirus, preventing a far worse crisis at home and around the world

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Saudi Film Festival to return in April with focus on Korean cinema

Since its launch in 2008, the Saudi Film Festival has played a central role in nurturing local and Gulf cinema. (Supplied)
Updated 15 February 2026
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Saudi Film Festival to return in April with focus on Korean cinema

  • Ahmed Al-Mulla, founder and director of the Saudi Film Festival, said in a statement: “We’re excited to welcome filmmakers to our annual gathering. Our doors are open to all creators, and filmmakers remain at the heart of everything we do

DHAHRAN: The Saudi Film Festival, organized by the Cinema Association in partnership with the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture and supported by the Saudi Film Commission, has announced that it will launch at Ithra in Dhahran between April 23-29.

This year’s festival explores the theme of “Cinema of the Journey,” presenting a selection of Arab and international films, both short and feature-length, that center on journeys and movement as essential storytelling elements. 

Since its launch in 2008, the Saudi Film Festival has played a central role in nurturing local and Gulf cinema. (Supplied)

The program includes road movies, travel narratives and films where physical or emotional journeys drive the narrative.

The theme encourages Saudi filmmakers to explore this subject through their own perspectives. It positions cinema itself as an act of continuous transition, where identity, place, and time converge to shape the human experience.

FASTFACTS

• This year’s Saudi Film Festival will explore the theme of ‘Cinema of the Journey,’ presenting a selection of Arab and international films that center on journeys and movement as essential storytelling elements.

• The program includes road movies, travel narratives and films where physical or emotional journeys drive the narrative.

Following last year’s focus on Japanese cinema, the festival will present a special “Spotlight on Korean Cinema” this year.

Ahmed Al-Mulla, founder and director of the Saudi Film Festival, said in a statement: “We’re excited to welcome filmmakers to our annual gathering. Our doors are open to all creators, and filmmakers remain at the heart of everything we do. This year’s festival creates an atmosphere filled with inspiration, idea exchange, and shared learning. It’s a celebration of cinematic creativity for everyone.”

Tariq Al-Khawaji, deputy director of the festival, added: “At Ithra, we’re proud of our longstanding partnership with the Cinema Association. It has enabled the festival’s growth and thematic diversity year after year, which we see clearly in how we empower filmmakers and create opportunities to engage with global cinema. 

“The festival continues to grow across all areas, from preparations and participation to industry expectations locally and regionally. That makes attention to every detail essential.”

Since its launch in 2008, the Saudi Film Festival has played a central role in nurturing local and Gulf cinema. After intermittent early editions, it has now established itself as an annual platform for narrative and documentary competitions, industry programs and project markets.

By bringing together emerging and established filmmakers in Dhahran each year, the festival strengthens Saudi Arabia’s growing presence on the global film stage.