1,362 new coronavirus cases reported; death toll reaches 176 JEDDAH: The Saudi General Statistics Authority (GASTAT) has invited establishments to take part in a survey to measure the impact of COVID-19 on commercial activities in the Kingdom. The survey aims “to support policy- and decision-makers in the country to build a system of procedures to foster the survival of commercial activities in Saudi Arabia,” said GASTAT spokesman Mohammed Al-Dakhini. GASTAT designed the survey to reveal the impact of precautionary measures taken to prevent the spread of the disease, and to identify commercial behavior and labor force activity during the pandemic. The survey is available at https://survey.stats.gov.sa/business/covid19-impact/. GASTAT applies various confidentiality rules to individual data, and the information obtained from the survey is to be used only for statistical purposes in accordance with Saudi regulations. No information related to individuals or establishments will be made public, according to the General Statistics Law issued by the Council of Ministers. The results of the survey will be published on GASTAT’s website. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry announced 1,362 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, meaning 25,459 people in Saudi Arabia have contracted the disease so far. There are currently 21,518 active cases, 139 of them critical. Of the new cases, only 9 percent are Saudis, 95 percent are adults above the age of 65, and 89 percent are men. Officials announced 210 new cases of recovery, taking the total number of recoveries to 3,765. Seven fatalities were recorded on Saturday, raising the death toll to 176. All seven fatalities were expats in Makkah and Jeddah, aged 44-57, some with prior chronic health conditions. Health spokesman Dr. Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aly stressed that those at high risk of contracting the disease, such as the elderly and those suffering from chronic conditions, should adhere to correct doses of medications, constantly follow up with their doctors, and stay home unless absolutely necessary. Al-Aly also stressed that those who live with people with special health conditions, or with an elderly family member, should commit to all types of protective measures. “Neglecting these instructions can lead to very sad endings,” he said, citing a young Saudi who ignored social distancing instructions and kept meeting with friends, then transmitted the virus to his parents, causing his father to die and his mother to be in a critical condition. The account was posted as a short video on the Heath Ministry’s Twitter account and other platforms.