Saudi Arabia’s COVID-19 cases drop by 47.30 percent in one week
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced last week that there was no specific age requirement for pilgrims and visitors to enter the Two Holy Mosques, and that the green “immune” status on the Tawakkalna health app was sufficient
Updated 06 March 2022
DEEMA AL-KHUDAIR
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s COVID-19 cases dropped by 47.30 percent in one week, with 283 new cases recorded on Saturday.
The latest official figures bring the country’s total number of infections to 747,119 since the start of the pandemic.
There were 525 recoveries reported, bringing this total to 726,876, and one new coronavirus-related death. Saudi Arabia’s death toll now stands at 9,006.
Riyadh recorded 146 new infections on Saturday, while Jeddah had 53 and Dammam had 28.
COVID-19 cases dropped to one apiece in Sakaka, AlUla, Yanbu, and more than 40 other cities.
NUMBER
747k
The total number of coronavirus cases in KSA reached 747,119.
Over 40 million PCR tests have been carried out to date, with 45,757 performed in the past 24 hours, and over 61 million people have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Health Ministry figures also showed that more than 11 million people have had a booster shot.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced last week that there was no specific age requirement for pilgrims and visitors to enter the Two Holy Mosques, and that the green “immune” status on the Tawakkalna health app was sufficient. Necessary permission must be obtained through the Eatmarna app, however.
It clarified on Saturday in a tweet that, according to health and precautionary requirements, the minimum age for permits to be issued through Eatmarna and Tawakkalna was five.
Jeddah students get closer look at electric motorsport
A PIF-linked initiative highlights technical and engineering careers behind electric racing events
Updated 24 January 2026
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: Students from local and international schools in Jeddah were introduced to STEM-related career pathways in electric motorsport this week, as part of an education program linked to the UIM E1 World Championship held on the Red Sea.
The sessions formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners, to familiarize students aged eight to 18 with science, technology, engineering and mathematics through electric racing and sustainability-focused industries.
The sessions for students formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners. (Supplied)
The programme took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access designed to show how engineering, data, broadcast technology and event operations function within professional motorsport.
According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The program took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access.
• Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
• According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
John Williams, managing director at E1, told Arab News: “The PIF is absolutely vital to everything we do here at the E1. They were crucial initial investment partner since the start of the championship and they continue to support us in a number of ways and more specifically around the Driving Force program.”
The sessions for students formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners. (Supplied)
Elaborating more on the program, he said: “What we are doing is presenting and showing these students the available careers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as careers in sports, not only pilots but also engineers and mechanics.”
Williams added that the main key to the program was bringing a new generation to the mechanism of sport.
“We are introducing to these exciting new technologies around the race but it could be our technology on the boat or our broadcast products, as well as how to manage the event its self. There are a range of opportunities to show it to the children in addition to enjoying the excitement of the race and meeting the pilots.”
The program’s Jeddah activities began at King Abdulaziz University’s faculty of maritime studies, where students took part in a hands-on workshop focused on STEM careers in the motorsport and sustainability areas conducted by technology experts and famous water pilots such as Dani Clos, Emma Kimilainen and Patricia Pita.
Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
They also enjoyed exclusive behind-the-scenes access at the E1 Jeddah GP, pilot meet-and-greets, and front-row seats to watch the RaceBird boats in action.
