Importance of early precautionary actions in avoiding the spread of COVID-19: Saudi Arabia as an Example

Alshammari, Thamir M.; Altebainawi, Ali F.; Alenzi, Khalidah A.

Late in 2019, several cases of new strains of coronavirus were reported in China. This new strain was later officially named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by the World Health Organization (WHO). This new virus (SARS-CoV2-) mainly affects the respiratory system and causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The first case of COVID-19 was reported to the WHO on December 31(st), 2019, and the virus has spread dramatically in many countries worldwide. On March 11(th), 2020, the WHO declared that COVID-19 and had affected most of the world, and many cases of death were linked to COVID-19. Unfortunately, there is no available treatment for COVID-19, and there is no available vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Thus, prevention methods are the only way to limit the spread of the virus. Preventive actions have been taken by many countries, such as travel bans, closing borders and working from home. Saudi Arabia was one of the countries that took very early precautionary actions in the belief that these actions are the best way to fight the virus. Therefore, we present the actions that were taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to fight the new virus pandemic.