Kuwait govt urges public to halt gatherings as COVID-19 cases surge

Kuwait govt urges public to halt gatherings as COVID-19 cases surge

KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti government urged the public to adhere to all precautionary measures and health requirements as well as halt all gatherings to curb the spread of coronavirus and maintain the safety of all. This came during the Cabinet's weekly meeting on Monday, during which Health Minister Dr Sheikh Basel Al-Sabah updated ministers on the COVID-19 situation. In his presentation, the minister laid it bare that the daily rise in the number of coronavirus infections and fatalities is still high.

He also noted that the number of hospitalizations and intensive care units occupants are also surging despite the imposed lockdown measures and night curfew. He stressed that this situation requires more vigilance and abidance by the preventive measures. Kuwait had registered on Monday 1,332 new COVID-19 cases and seven deaths, while the percentage of new cases to swab tests reached 18 percent. The number of patients in intensive care units stood at 219 on Monday, up from 209 the previous day.

The Cabinet meanwhile approved a draft law on supporting and guaranteeing local banks' loans to clients who were affected by the coronavirus measures. The Cabinet endorsed the bill, which was proposed by its economic committee, and referred it to His Highness