Saudi Arabia reports new cases of coronavirus bringing total to 171

Saudi Arabia reports new cases of coronavirus bringing total to 171
Saudi Arabia closed malls and restaurants as well as shops, coffee shops, parks and gardens. (AFP)
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Updated 17 March 2020
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Saudi Arabia reports new cases of coronavirus bringing total to 171

Saudi Arabia reports new cases of coronavirus bringing total to 171
  • The latest cases include a Saudi in the Eastern Province
  • Europeans and North Africans have also been infected

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia announced 38 new cases of the coronavirus on Tuesday as the total number infected rose to 171.

It follows 15 cases being announced on Monday.

The new cases on Monday included a two women in the Eastern Province: one Saudi and the other Spanish, who are both in quarantine in health facilities in Qatif and Dhahran respectively.

Two male Moroccans are also now in isolation at a health facility in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

In Jeddah 5 cases have been reported with national from Britain, France, Switzerland, Jordan and Afghanistan. All are under quarantine at health facilities in the Red Sea city.

Two citizens from Turkey and Egypt have also tested positive for the virus in Makkah.

Six individuals have so far recovered from the virus with the rest in isolation.

On Sunday, The Kingdom temporarily suspended government work and ordered public-sector workers to stay home for 16 days. Malls and restaurants as well as shops, coffee shops,  parks and gardens were also ordered shut.