The risk level of the novel coronavirus outbreak in Saudi Arabia dropped in the past nine days, according to a COVID-19 risk level map developed by a team of health experts.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The map, which was developed by teams at Harvard’s Global Health Institute and Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, determines the severity of an outbreak in a given country based on the number of new daily reported cases.The coronavirus outbreak in Saudi Arabia had ranked at the orange risk level earlier this month– the second highest risk category – which means the virus is quickly spreading, data developed by a network of health research experts showed.However, as of Monday, July 13, the outbreak in the Kingdom now ranks at the yellow level – the second lowest rank, one rank below orange.The metrics suggest different responses based on the level that would help effectively contain the outbreak of COVID-19.Saudi Arabia has been reporting this week an average of 9.7 cases for every 100,000 people, according to the data, with experts recommending rigorous testing and tracing programs.Last week, the Kingdom had been reporting an average of 11.1 cases for every 100,000 people.Saudi Arabia’s pandemic response has been in line with the experts’ recommendation. So far, a total of 2,270,719 COVID-19 tests have been conducted.The Kingdom began its return to “normalcy” on June 21 but has continued to impose strict measures, such as issuing fines and handing down jail sentences to those who violate preventative measures.The contact tracing app Tawakkalna was also developed to help prevent the coronavirus from spreading further.Read more:Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia to fine those who enter Mecca without a permit during HajjCoronavirus: Saudi Arabia holds ‘limited’ Hajj pilgrimage for various nationalitiesThe different risk levels and the recommended responses for each are as follows.Green risk level: Canada, China, Italy, others Countries that report less than one case per every 100,000 people are assigned the green risk level and are on track for containment, according to the experts. Countries with this level of risk include Canada, China, Algeria, Spain, and Italy.To ensure that the number of infections does not rise, countries at the green level must monitor cases with viral testing and contact tracing programs, they said.Yellow risk level: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, others Governments reporting an average of one to nine cases per every 100,000 people a day fall under the yellow risk level. Alongside Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Russia all fall within this category.At the yellow level, community spread – when an individual picks up the virus from a person who has been infected – is the most common cause for rising infections.The experts recommend rigorous testing and tracing programs to curb the spread of the coronavirus.Orange risk level: Qatar, US, Brazil, others If a country reports an average of 10 to 24 cases a day per every 100,000 people, that country receives an orange risk level designation. At this stage, the virus is spreading quickly and stay-at-home orders and ramped up testing and tracing programs are advised.Qatar, the United States, Brazil, and Kuwait fall in this category.Red risk level: Oman, Bahrain, French Guiana Countries that report more than 25 cases for every 100,000 people a day are at the red risk level, the most severe designation. There are three countries in the red level category: Oman, Bahrain, and French Guiana.Qatar had previously ranked at this level, but the number of daily reported cases has dropped in recent days.A complete lockdown is necessary at this stage to prevent the virus from spreading further, according to the experts.A unified approach for suppressing the coronavirus, with common metrics so countries can anticipate and get ahead of the virus, is necessary, the Vice President for Global Biological Policy and Programs at the Nuclear Threat Initiative Beth Cameron told Global Pandemics.Globally, there have been 12,934,317 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 569,697 virus-related deaths, according to a tally by John Hopkins University.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus risk level in Saudi Arabia drops: Expert’s COVID-19 map
Ultra-Orthodox threaten unity government over coronavirus measures
Ultra-Orthodox Knesset members are threatening to leave the Netanyahu government over anti-coronavirus measures they feel disproportionately target their sector.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Ultra-Orthodox threaten unity government over coronavirus measures
Israel creates plan to develop, protect Sea of Galilee
The Galilee Sea development plan aims to regulate the local tourism industry and protect the region’s sensitive ecosystems.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israel creates plan to develop, protect Sea of Galilee
Violators of quarantine rules to be fined: Hasan
Those who violate quarantine rules will be fined, Health Minister Hamad Hasan announced Monday, as Lebanon had recorded consecutive record highs in daily COVID-19 cases..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Violators of quarantine rules to be fined: Hasan
Yemen's Houthis say they have 'bank of vital targets' in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel
Abdullah Yahya Al-Hakim, chief of Houthis' intelligence and….
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Yemen's Houthis say they have 'bank of vital targets' in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel
Israeli research center finds 28 new Hezbollah missile launch sites
ALMA says never-before-published sites are deep in heart of residential areas in Beirut, next to hospitals, restaurants, schools
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israeli research center finds 28 new Hezbollah missile launch sites
Coronavirus: COVID-19 test not mandatory for all passengers to Dubai, says DCAA
It is not compulsory for all travelers to Dubai to perform a PCR COVID-19 test before leaving their destinations, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority tells Al Arabiya following earlier local reports saying otherwise.“The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that the news attributed to it regarding the procedures for traveling to Dubai, which is circulated by some newspapers and news sites, is incorrect,” DCAA said in a statement.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.“The authority stressed the need to obtain information from its official sources,” the statement added.Read more:Coronavirus: Emirates makes negative COVID-19 test necessary on some flights to DubaiCoronavirus: UAE’s first local mask manufacturer can produce 90,000 masks dailyCoronavirus in UAE: Emirates to operate repatriation flights to five Indian cities So far, Emirates Airlines announced it will be making a negative COVID-19 test mandatory only for passengers traveling back from 12 specific countries effective July 10, according to a statement from the Dubai-based airlines last Wednesday.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Those countries are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russian Federation, Sudan, Tanzania, and the US.Dubai opened its doors to international tourists from Tuesday, July 7, as the emirate continues to reopen from the lockdown it imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: COVID-19 test not mandatory for all passengers to Dubai, says DCAA
Gunmen open fire on army in northeast Lebanon, killing one soldier
Gunmen have opened fire on Lebanese army forces in the northeast, killing one soldier..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Gunmen open fire on army in northeast Lebanon, killing one soldier
Iran says misaligned radar led to Ukrainian jet downing
Iranian authorities say the main reason for the January incident that killed 176 was human error in aligning the radar..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Iran says misaligned radar led to Ukrainian jet downing
Court rules for NSO, Defense Ministry in Amnesty lawsuit
Judge declines to revoke export license, but does not explain.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Court rules for NSO, Defense Ministry in Amnesty lawsuit