KUWAIT: Kuwait registered 903 new coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in the past 24 hours, raising the total to 133,381, the Ministry of Health announced yesterday. Deaths reached 821 with the addition of five fatalities, it added. The ministry had announced earlier that 842 patients have recovered within the same period, raising total recoveries to 124,156.

Official spokesperson of the Ministry of Health Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad said that there were 115 patients receiving treatment at intensive care units, while those still receiving treatment amounted to 8,404. Health workers conducted 7,847 swab tests in the past 24 hours, raising the whole count to 979,336. Minister of Health Dr Sheikh Basel Al-Sabah had briefed the Cabinet during its weekly meeting Monday on the latest developments concerning the novel coronavirus in Kuwait.

China-GCC conference
In other news, China has affirmed its continuing support for the GCC states to safeguard their security and stability and "rebuild" their economies post the coronavirus crisis. Cooperation in the vaccines' sector has become one of the most eminent cooperation realms between China and the GCC countries, said Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Minister Wang was addressing the 10 China-GCC ministerial conference, held virtually. First clinical tests of the third stage trial of the vaccines, conducted by China with the UAE and Bahrain, "are proceeding steadily and effectively" by administering them on 44,000 people, Wang revealed in his remarks, broadcast by the Chinese news agency (Xinhua).

China desires to respond effectively to the needs of the GCC countries for vaccinations, he said. He called on the GCC countries, in the post-COVID stage, to resume negotiations with Beijing on the free trade zone, boost cooperation for the silk belt road ventures as well as enhance popular interactions. The State of Kuwait delegation at the meeting was headed by Foreign Minister and Acting Minister of Information Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah. - KUNA