COVID-19 continues to spread in Arab countries

By Ali Semerci

ANKARA (AA) - Arab countries confirmed new cases of the novel coronavirus on Saturday.

Morocco's online bulletin that announces new COVID-19 cases said the total number of the cases in the country increased to 358, with 13 new patients.

According to the website, the death toll in the country is now 23.

It also said 11 people were discharged from hospitals after recovering from the virus.

In Palestine, government spokesman Ibrahim Melhem reported six more confirmed cases of the virus in the country, bringing the total to 97.

Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti Health Ministry said the total number of confirmed cases rose to 235, with 10 new cases confirmed.

It also said that the number of discharged people from hospitals had increased to 64, with seven newly recovered.

Oman's Health Ministry reported 21 additional cases of the virus, bringing the total to 152.

It also said the number of recovered people had increased to 23.

In Iraq, the death toll due to the virus is now 42, increasing by two in 24 hours, with the total at 506, the Iraqi Health Ministry announced Saturday.

After first appearing in Wuhan, China in December, the virus, officially known as COVID-19, has spread to at least 177 countries and regions, according to data compiled by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

More than 614,800 cases have been reported worldwide, with the death toll exceeding 28,600 and more than 135,600 recoveries.

* Writing and contribution by Fahri Aksut from Ankara