KUWAIT CITY, Mar 21: 17 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) were discovered in Kuwait within the last 24 hours, bringing the total of infections to 176, said the Health Ministry.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad said in a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) an infected Kuwaiti citizen had travelled to the UAE," four -- three Kuwaiti citizens and a Lebanese resident -- were in the United Kingdom. A Kuwaiti, a Lebanese resident and another Somali had been to Switzerland.

Moreover, a Kuwaiti national was in Egypt. Eight individuals were in close contact with persons who had travelled to the UK: Four Kuwaitis, an Indian resident, two Filipina housemaids and an Egyptian.

Diagnosis of these persons as coronavirus patients brought the whole number of the infection cases in Kuwait to 176, the official spokesman affirmed in the remarks to KUNA.

The Kuwaiti MoH has urged citizens and expatriates to adhere to decisions and recommendations issued by state authorities and the World Health Organization to abstain from gathering and refraining from venturing out except for necessities