Virus toll in Iran climbs

TEHRAN, Iran, March 16, (Agencies): Iran reported another 129 fatalities from the new coronavirus (COVID- 19) on Monday, the largest one-day rise in deaths since it began battling the Middle East’s worst outbreak, which has claimed more than 850 lives and infected a number of senior officials in the country.

Businesses in Iran’s capital remained open, however, even as other countries in the region moved toward full lockdowns, with Lebanon largely shutting down and Iraqis racing to prepare for a curfew set to begin later this week.

The divergent approaches adopted by local authorities reflect continued uncertainty over how to slow the spread of a virus that has infected around 170,000 people worldwide and caused more than 6,500 deaths. Some have opted for an even more aggressive response. Israel, where the number of confirmed cases has more than doubled to around 250 in recent days, has authorized the use of phone-snooping technology long used against Palestinian militants to track coronavirus patients. Such practices will spark renewed debate over privacy issues as countries around the world confront the pandemic.

Most people experience only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, and recover within weeks. But the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by people with no visible symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

Iraq
Iraqi health ministry said Sunday number of coronavirus cases nationwide jumped to 124, an increase of 14 from a day earlier. The ministry added in a statement the new cases were registered in Baghdad, Maysan, Al-Najaf, Diyala and Diwaniya. Meanwhile, the Iraqi government announced a curfew in Baghdad and suspension of international flights as of Tuesday. A government spokesman said the curfew would extend until March 24. The government also decided to suspend work at state institutions with the exception of security and health departments, as well as movement of goods. Iraq’s Kurdistan province said five people have been tested positive for the virus to increase total cases to 34.

Bahrain A 65-year-old Bahraini female, who was suffering from underlying and chronic health problems, had died after being registered as an active case of coronavirus, said a media source Monday. According to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), citing the Health Ministry, the deceased had returned from Iran via an indirect flight last month.

The individual, upon arrival to Bahrain, was placed in isolation and received extensive 24-hour treatment from a specialized medical team. The Ministry affirmed that all other active COVID-19 cases, excluding one, remain stable and that all patients are receiving treatment from a specialized medical team following guidelines provided by the World Health Organization.

The Bahraini Ministry of Health announced Sunday the recovery of 17 coronavirus cases, after receiving the necessary care under the supervision of a specialized medical staff. The ministry said in a statement quoted by Bahraini News Agency (BNA) that 15 Bahraini citizens, one Saudi and one Lebanese recovered after receiving the necessary treatment according to the best international standards as recommended by the World Health Organization, bringing the total number of recoveries to 77 so far in the Kingdom.

The Ministry urged all citizens and residents if they felt the following symptoms such as high temperature, cough and difficulty breathing to stay in a separate room, call (444), and avoid gatherings.

Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia decided Sunday to suspend work in government departments for 16 days with the exception of health, security and military sectors as well as online education, an interior ministry source said, and the decision would take effect Monday. He was quoted by official SPA news agency as saying markets and shopping malls would be closed, but pharmacies and food stores would remain open. Barber shops and women’s salons will be closed too. Restaurants and coffee shops will offer only takeaways orders, and customers would not be allowed to sit inside these shops. Auctions will stop, parks and resorts will be closed, said the source.

Government authorities should encourage people to use online services, he added. He said companies should oblige employees to stay for a 14-day quarantine following their return from abroad. The virus has, meanwhile, sickened 15 more people in Saudi Arabia, said the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health Sunday. The latest infections are of two expatriates from the Philippines and Indonesia, who had close contact with previously announced virus patients, the ministry said in a statement. The list also includes 12 Saudi citizens and a Spanish man, according to the statement. Thus, the total number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the Kingdom has risen to 118, three of whom have already recovered.

Oman
Authorities in Oman said Sunday non- Omanis would be banned from entering the country as of Tuesday with exception of GCC nationals. Omani news agency (ONA) quoted the higher committee overseeing efforts to confront the coronavirus as saying all people arriving in the country, including citizens, would be placed in quarantine.

The committee decided to close public parks, halting of Friday prayers and social gatherings. Ministry of health announced earlier a new coronavirus case to increase total number of patients to 22. Omani news agency quoted the ministry as saying the new case was an Omani female citizen who came from Italy. It noted that 18 out of the 22 cases came from Iran, two from Italy and investigation was underway about the remaining two.

Qatar
Qatar said Sunday it was suspending all incoming flights for 14 days as of Wednesday evening as well as closing schools in a bid to confront spread of coronavirus. Spokesperson of the Higher Crisese Management Committee Lulwa Al- Khater told a news conference cargo and transit flights would be exempted from the ban. Qatari citizens will be allowed to re turn but should be placed in quarantine, she said. Al-Khater said public transportation will stop as of 10:00 pm everyday, while social and sport events would be cancelled. She said Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim Al-Thani instructed allocation of $20.6 billion to stilumate the private sector. Al-Khater said food and medical supplies would be exempted from custom duties for six months.

UAE
United Arab Emirates (UAE) said three persons recovered from coronavirus infection, making total number of cured persons to 26. The ministry of health said in a press statement the three recovered persons were two Bangladeshis and an Indian. The ministry assured it was offering high-quality medical service. There are 98 registered patients infected with the virus in the UAE.

Egypt
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli said Monday his country would suspend flights at all airports as of Thursday (March 19) till March 31. Speaking at a press conference, Madbouli said that the government has taken a package of significant decisions and precautionary measures in order to contain coronavirus outbreak. He added that the suspension of flights aimed at reducing close contacts with tourists, arrivals and departures at present. However, tourists staying in Egypt now will be allowed to complete their vacations, the prime minister vowed. Earlier Monday, Egypt confirmed 16 new coronavirus cases, bringing this Arab country’s total number of confirmed virus cases up to 126.

Turkey
Turkey has suspended all mass prayers in mosques, including Friday prayers, in order to fend off a looming coronavirus outbreak in the country. Chairman of the Turkish Religious Affairs Directorate Ali Erbas said that mosques would remain open for those who want to pray individually, Anadolu news agency reported. He added that 390 Turkish citizens who travel to Saudi Arabia on private tours will return later Monday and will be quarantined immediately. The Turkish Ministry of Health said on Sunday that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country had risen to 18.