DOHA
Saudi Arabia has reported a new death from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), commonly known as coronavirus, bringing the total number of MERS-related fatalities in the kingdom to 284 since 2012.
In a Wednesday statement, the Health Ministry said that two more people had contracted the virus, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 691 since September 2012, when the virus first appeared.
According to the ministry, another two people had recovered after contracting the virus.
The Health Ministry had earlier this week corrected the total number of MERS-related fatalities in the kingdom, putting the toll at 282.
MERS, for which no cure currently exists, is known for destroying the lungs and kidneys.
Along with Saudi Arabia, MERS has also been reported in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Jordan, Egypt and Oman.
It is presumed that long-term physical contact with persons carrying the virus can lead to infection.
www.aa.com.tr/en
