The Ministry of Health has imposed a SR200,000 fine on two private hospitals in the Eastern Province (EP) for failing to apply mechanisms of infection control, as required by the Ministry of Health.

Khaled Al-Shaibani, director general of EP Health Affairs, said: “The action was taken against these hospital after a team of health experts dealing with coronavirus cases noted negligence showed by them.”

Al-Shaibani said these hospitals failed to follow proper methods to fight corona infection, and did not report infectious cases immediately after been discovered.

Deputy Health Minister for Public Health Abdul Aziz Saeed said: “Authorities are doing what ever they can to ensure full implementation of rules regarding health standards in the Kingdom.”

The Health Ministry has been keen to highlight importance of infection prevention through preventive measures. These include regular hand washing with soap and water, avoiding contacting with the sick, avoiding touching the eyes or nose, using tissues while coughing, avoiding interaction with camels, in addition to basic hygiene measures.