ALGIERS

Algeria said Tuesday it will temporarily close mosques as part of efforts to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.

In a statement, Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments Youcef Belmehdi said the daily congregational prayers and weekly Friday prayers will be suspended.

Algeria has reported four deaths from coronavirus and 48 confirmed cases, mostly of people who recently visited Europe.

The virus emerged in Wuhan, China last December, and has spread to at least 146 countries and territories. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic.

Out of 173,000 confirmed cases, the death toll now exceeds 7,000, while more than 77,500 patients have recovered, according to Worldometer, a website that compiles new case numbers.

The current number of active cases is more than 88,500 – 93% mild and 7% in critical condition.

* Bassel Ibrahim contributed to this report from Ankara