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21:08 GMT
RIYADH, March 8 (KUNA) -- Saudi Arabia reported 19 confirmed new Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus cases in the capital, Al-Qassim, and Jeddah, 11 males and eight females during last week, Health ministry said on Sunday.
In its weekly report, the ministry said that 16 patients diagnosed in Riyadh, two in Al-Qassim, and one in Jeddah.
The report noted that the patients were 11 Saudis, two from the Philippines, while one Yemeni, one Indian, one Pakistani, and two Bangladeshi citizens.
The ministry said that the eight cases in Riyadh were as result to social encounters, while the three patients were from inside hospitals, another three from being inside a medical facility, and two from one residence house.
In Jeddah, one patient was diagnosed socially, while two cases in Al-Qassim one social and from medical practice.
Since its inception in 2012, the virus killed 405 individuals out of total 941 cases in the country. (end)
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