By Tamara Abueish

DUBAI — Eight factories in Saudi Arabia have been producing 3.7 million face masks weekly to help protect citizens and residents from the coronavirus, the Saudi Food & Drug Authority said on Wednesday.

Concerns about a worldwide shortage of sanitizers, face masks, and ventilators – all essential in the fight against COVID-19 – has pushed the Kingdom to increase its efforts to locally produce these items.

A total of 49 factories in Saudi Arabia produce more than 1.5 million liters of sanitizers, the authority’s spokesperson said, adding that the government agency supports the local drug industry.

Saudi Arabia had stopped exporting all medical devices since the pandemic broke out in the country to ensure hospitals in the Kingdom were equipped to handle a large number of patients.

Saudi Arabia has reported 5,862 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 79 virus-related deaths. — Al Arabiya English