Coronavirus tally rises in Kuwait, Lebanon, Iraq

By Mohamed Abdelghaffar and Ali Jawad

ANKARA (AA) - Health authorities in Kuwait, Lebanon and Iraq confirmed new cases and deaths from the novel coronavirus on Wednesday.

The Kuwaiti Health Ministry said it recorded 28 new cases, taking the total to 317.

Ministry spokesperson Abdullah al-Sanad said in a press release that seven people have recovered from the disease, raising the number of recoveries to 80.

In Lebanon, the Health Ministry announced 16 new cases to bring the total to 479, including seven in critical conditions.

On Tuesday, Lebanon recorded a new death from the coronavirus, raising the total to 12.

Iraqi authorities reported one death from the virus and nine new cases. The death toll reached 51 and the number of cases rose to 804.

After first appearing in Wuhan, China last December, the novel coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, has spread to at least 180 countries and regions, according to data compiled by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

Over 874,000 cases have been reported worldwide, with the death toll nearing 43,300, and more than 185,000 recoveries.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat