Middle East Experience

Intelligence officials do not believe the virus was a bioweapon deliberately developed by China, but may have been transmitted from a bat to a human in the laboratory.;
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: US investigating possible coronavirus patient zero due to unsafe Wuhan lab

In the meantime, the Israelis stuck in Morocco are split between hotels in Marrakesh and the Jewish community in Casablanca;
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Morocco blocks evacuation of Israeli citizens after spat with UAE

Arab states have alarmed human rights organisations with the use of artificial intelligence tools to combat coronavirus..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Arab states use of artificial intelligence to fight coronavirus raises concerns over mass surveillance

Members of the group are suspected of attacking three Palestinians earlier this week;
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Hilltop youth flee IDF quarantine facility with IDF equipment

Medical teams in Saudi Arabia are actively conducting coronavirus screenings in Mecca and Medina neighborhoods, the health ministry announced on Friday.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.Photos released show medics in personal protective equipment (PPE) checking temperatures of residents and conducting coronavirus swab tests for various people in their homes.The screenings helped detect nearly 50 percent of the new 762 cases in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia has so far recorded 7,142 confirmed coronavirus cases and 87 deaths with four new ones on Friday, according to the spokesman.Saudi Arabia has recorded a higher number of confirmed coronavirus cases in crowded residential areas, including neighborhoods with a high number of labor worker residences.The spokesman also said the ministry has been creating information handouts in various languages to better communicate with residents in the country.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: Saudi 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 boosts home tests, records 762 new case

Ramadan communal taraweeh and Eid prayers should be held at home due to the coronavirus, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia said, according to the official Saudi Press Agency.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The announcement was made on Friday, one week before the Muslim holy month is estimated to begin.The Kingdom’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Sheikh said group taraweeh evening prayers will not be held in mosques this year in accordance with precautionary measures implemented to slow the spread of the virus.If the outbreak continues through the holy month, communal Eid al-Fitr prayers should also be held at home, he added. Eid al-Fitr is a religious holiday in which Muslims mark the end of the month of Ramadan.Muslims line up, side-by-side, shoulders touching when praying in groups, also known as jamaa’a. However, several Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and others have suspended group prayers in mosques until further notice to slow the spread of the virus. Egypt officially suspended all public group iftar and activities earlier this month as a precautionary measure as well.Saudi Arabia has 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.The Kingdom has so far recorded 6,380 coronavirus cases with 83 deaths. A total of 990 people have recovered as of Thursday.Read more: Saudi Arabia suspends prayers at mosques to stop spread of coronavirusEgypt to suspend Ramadan group iftars, activities, says MinistrySaudi Arabia activates thermal cameras in Medina’s Prophet’s Mosque
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Ramadan taraweeh, Eid prayers to be held at home, Saudi Grand Mufti says

Dubai has extended a 24-hour lockdown for another week as it continues to fight the coronavirus pandemic with a national disinfection program, the emirate's media office announced on Friday.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The Supreme Committee for Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai made the decision “in light of the success achieved by the initiative,” Dubai Media Office said in a statement on Twitter.The program was implemented last month and required residents to comply with a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily which was later extended to cover the 24-hours in a day.Dubai authorities have santized the metro, taxis, buses, trams as well as roads throughout Dubai neighborhoods.In addition to the curfew, Dubai Police started a movement permit program in which residents must apply for, and get approval before leaving their homes. The permit options are strictly for work, emergencies, grocery shopping or pharmacies, and for ATM visits. One permit per individual may be issued every three days, according to new restrictions announced on Thursday.UAE confirmed cases, recoveries, deathsThe UAE has so far confirmed 5,825 coronavirus cases as of Thursday as it ramps up testing throughout the country. The death toll has remained relatively low at 35 and a total of 1,095 people have recovered. Most patients who recovered followed healthy habits that strengthened their immune systems, the health sector spokeswoman Dr. Farida al-Hosani said on Wednesday.The country has recorded a comparatively high number of recoveries in a short period of time because most cases in the country have had only minor symptoms, according to the spokeswoman. Most patients with few or no symptoms recovered within two to three weeks in the UAE.Read more: Dubai announces stricter lockdown, grocery permits only every three daysUAE says it is successfully treating patients with hydroxychloroquineMost recovered coronavirus patients in UAE followed ‘healthy habits’: Spokeswoman
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Dubai extends 24-hour lockdown as it fights COVID-19 pandemic

Bahrain reported on Friday 40 new coronavirus cases, 22 of which were repatriated citizens returning from Iran. This brings the total number of cases in the country up to 1,740 cases.Out of the 40 new cases, two were migrant workers and 10 were people who came into contact with previously infected individuals.Visit our dedicated coronavirus site here for all the latest updates.There are currently 1,008 active coronavirus cases, three of which are in critical condition, while the rest are stable.The number of recovered patients reached 725 people, while the death toll stood at seven.Coronavirus testingBahrain has so far conducted more than 79,000 tests and the Ministry of Health said it will continue randomly selecting citizens and residents to test for the coronavirus.The Information and eGovernment Authority (IGA) will select 20 individuals from each housing block on a daily basis, over a duration of 12 days.Selected individuals will receive an SMS text message notifying them of the date and time of their COVID-19 test, which will take place at the drive-through testing facility located at Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre and should not exceed five minutes. The individuals are required to bring a valid ID for identification purposes. Through this process, the Ministry of Health aims to conduct more than 9,000 COVID-19 tests for randomly selected citizens and residents.The individuals may be accompanied by family members, who will also have the option to get tested, provided that the individuals and their accompanying parties all arrive together in the same vehicle.Clinical trialsBahrain said on Monday it will start clinical trials using convalescent plasma transfusion to combat the disease in currently infected patients. The trials will include 20 coronavirus cases in isolation and treatment centers.Plasma is the liquid part of the blood which carries cells and proteins through the body, when taken from a convalescent – someone who has recovered from an illness – it contains antibodies that can fight said illness.Read more:Coronavirus: Bahrain’s Gulf Air repatriating citizens from IranBahrain turns car park into ICU for coronavirus patientsGulf-wide blood-drive as GCC states use plasma transfusion as coronavirus treatment
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus in Bahrain: 40 new cases, 22 are repatriated citizens coming from Iran

The Israeli central government and mayors of Arab Israeli municipalities are working together on plans to contain the novel coronavirus ahead of the Ramadan festivities.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: IDF, Arab Israelis join forces against COVID-19 ahead of Ramadan

Some US states were expected on Friday to announce timetables for lifting restrictions aimed at blunting the coronavirus pandemic.;
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: US states consider easing coronavirus curbs after Trump unveils guidelines