RIYADH: The Ministry of Health reported 25 new confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, 44 critical cases and 29 recoveries in the Kingdom on Monday. The total number of infections in the country reached 549,720, while the recovery tally reached 538,885. One new death was reported, bringing the tally of fatalities in the Kingdom to 8,834. The ministry advised everyone to contact the toll-free number 937 for consultations and inquiries around the clock and to obtain health information and services. Meanwhile, The WHO warned on Monday that omicron variant of coronavirus carries a very high global risk of surges, as more countries reported cases, prompting border closures and reviving worries about the economic recovery from a two-year pandemic. Scientists have said it could take weeks to understand the severity of omicron, which was first identified in southern Africa. Its emergence has caused a strong global reaction, with countries imposing travel curbs and other restrictions, worried that it could spread fast even in vaccinated populations. On Sunday, a South African doctor who was one of the first to suspect a new strain said omicron appeared so far to be producing mild symptoms.