Middle East Experience

Kuwait has recorded 93 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, raising the total to 1,751, the health ministry announced.The death toll is now six after a 68-year-old Bangladeshi resident died of the virus within the past 24 hours.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.Health Minister Dr. Basel al-Sabah earlier announced 22 people had recovered bringing the total number of recoveries to 280 in the country as of Saturday.Kuwait has implemented several measures to help slow the spread of the virus. An 11-hour curfew was imposed across the country, and all public gatherings have been banned until further notice.The first three cases in Kuwait were announced on February 24, all of which had arrived from Iran which was witnessing an explosion of cases at the time. Many of the subsequent cases confirmed in Kuwait during late February were also people arriving from Iran.The virus, officially known as COVID-19, hit the Arabian Gulf earlier than Europe or the US, where most daily coronavirus deaths are now being recorded. Many of the first recorded cases either came directly from China, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, or from nearby Iran, the worst-affected country in the Middle East.Al Arabiya English's Tommy Hilton contributed to this report.Read more: Coronavirus can survive 60 degrees Celsius for an hour, boiling temp kills it: StudyWatch: Thousands affected by coronavirus lockdowns in US line up for free groceriesGulf countries convert event centers, hotels into coronavirus medical facilities
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Kuwait records 93 new cases raising total to 1,751, one new death

Saudi Arabia confirmed 1,132 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 8,274, a health ministry spokesman said on Saturday.Meanwhile, the Kingdom recorded five new coronavirus deaths, raising the death toll to 92.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.A 34-year-old Saudi national was one of the latest to die due to the virus, in addition to four other non-Saudis with ages ranging between 45 and 80 years old, according to the health ministry.Last week, the health ministry was recording about 500 new cases every 24 hours. Saudi Arabia's daily confirmed numbers have doubled since then. The spokesman said the increase in infection numbers is due to the intensified testing throughout the Kingdom. Adding, 79 percent of the new cases were discovered through the ministry’s field testing campaign in which medical teams are visiting crowded residential areas to screen residents in their homes.Read more: Saudi Arabia boosts home tests, records 762 new caseMedical teams have been actively conducting coronavirus screenings in Mecca and Medina neighborhoods.The spokesman said increasing the testing capacity is a preventative measure that helps with early detection, therefore leads to faster containment.The Kingdom has recorded a higher number of confirmed coronavirus cases in crowded residential areas, including neighborhoods with a high number of labor worker residences.Saudi Arabia impliments precautionary measuresOn Friday, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia said this year's Ramadan communal taraweeh and Eid prayers should be held at home due to the coronavirus, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. The announcement was made one week before the Muslim holy month is estimated to begin.Saudi Arabia has already suspended group prayers in mosques as a precautionary measure. The Kingdom also asked Muslims around the world to delay their plans for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages amid uncertainties surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, the Kingdom’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah said.Read more:Ramadan taraweeh, Eid prayers to be held at home, Saudi Grand Mufti saysSaudi Arabia activates thermal cameras in Medina’s Prophet’s MosqueSaudi Arabia cases could reach 200,000 within weeks, says ministerSaudi Arabia advances students to next grade, keeps 1st semester results
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia records 1,132 new cases in 24 hours, total now 8,274

PCP Capital Partners, headed by Amanda Staveley, have brokered the $377m deal which is being backed by Saudi Arabia royal family's Public Investment Fund
Source: Arabian Business
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Crisis has pushed the owners of Le Bristol to close down the landmark hotel after almost seven decades in business
Source: Arabian Business
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Dr Youmna Dirani, speciality infectious diseases for Covid-19 at Emirates Specialty Hospital, says increased testing is catching more cases
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Coronavirus: Expert warns confirmed cases in UAE will increase, but shouldn't see spike in death toll

The United Arab Emirates Cabinet on Saturday announced fines of up to about $5,400 for anyone who spreads false coronavirus information in the country.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.“It is prohibited for any individual to publish, re-publish, circulate false or misrepresented medical information unauthorized by the Ministry of Health or local Health Authority, or contradict what has been officially announced,” Dubai Media Office announced on Twitter.The Cabinet’s decision was made in regards to the publication or exchange of medical information related to any communicable diseases and epidemics, in light of the coronavirus outbreak that has spread across the world.The decision was made “with the aim of safeguarding the health and safety of society,” the statement said.The UAE has so far confirmed 6,302 cases as of Friday, with 1,188 recoveries and 37 deaths.Read more: UAE says it is successfully treating patients with hydroxychloroquineSaudi Arabia’s records 1,132 new cases in 24 hours, total now 8,274Ramadan taraweeh, Eid prayers to be held at home, Saudi Grand Mufti says
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE announces fines of over ,000 for spreading false information

Total ban on entering or exiting Al-Faisaliah, Al-Fadhliyah in the Al-Ihsa governorate
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi authorities place two districts in total lockdown as Covid-19 death toll hits 92

Griffiths says Saudi-led coalition, Houthis, expected to agree on truce in 'immediate future' as COVID-19 threat looms..
Source: Albawaba
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Confirmed Covid-19 total in country currently stands at 1,751
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Coronavirus: Kuwait reports 93 new Covid-19 cases, one death

The round-the-clock sterilisation programme in the emirate will be extended for an additional week..
Source: Albawaba
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