RIYADH: Saudi Arabia recorded 15 new COVID-19 related deaths on Monday, raising the total number of fatalities to 7,891. The Ministry of Health confirmed 1,247 new cases reported in the Kingdom in the previous 24 hours, meaning 494,032 people have now contracted the disease.  Of the total number of cases, 11,773 remain active and 1,350 in critical condition. According to the ministry, the highest number of cases were recorded in Asir with 273, followed by the Eastern with 234, Makkah with 220, the capital Riyadh recorded 206, and Jazan confirmed 110 cases. The health ministry also announced that 1,429 patients had recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries in the Kingdom to 474,368. #الصحة ⁩ تعلن عن تسجيل (1247) حالة إصابة جديدة بفيروس كورونا (كوفيد-19)، وتسجيل (15) حالات وفيات رحمهم الله، وتسجيل (1429) حالة تعافي ليصبح إجمالي عدد الحالات المتعافية (474,368) حالة ولله الحمد. pic.twitter.com/GtUmAvrALA — و ز ا ر ة ا لـ صـ حـ ة السعودية (@SaudiMOH) July 5, 2021 The ministry renewed its call on the public to register to receive the vaccine, and adhere to the measures and abide by instructions. The Eastern Province’s Education Department said it has intensified its programs as part of the national vaccination campaign to inoculate students aged 12-18 years. The department said it aims to reach the maximum limit of vaccinating more than 250,000 students during the coming period against the coronavirus. Spokesperson Saeed Al-Bahes said that the Education Department provided all means of support with the General Directorate of Health Affairs in the region and the COVID-19 vaccination centers spread across the region’s cities and governorates to provide vaccines to 258,957 students between the ages of 12 to 18, adding that they have set up permanent cooperation with families in immunizing the target age group. He said that the demand for vaccinations is very high, which confirms the societal awareness and concern for public health and safety. He added that the Education Department has implemented directives to limit entry to government and educational buildings, starting next month, to those who have been vaccinated, in addition to implementing precautionary measures to contribute to protecting society from the spread of the disease. The coronavirus pandemic has affected over 184 million people globally and the death toll has reached around 3.99 million.