Saudi Arabia expects 200,000 coronavirus cases within weeks, health minister warns
Saudi Arabia is expecting up to 200,000 coronavirus cases within weeks, the country’s health minister said today.
The Gulf kingdom currently has 2,523 cases, the highest number in the Middle East apart from Iran, and 38 deaths.
‘Within the next few weeks, studies predict the number of infections will range from a minimum of 10,000 to a maximum of 200,000,’ said minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah, according to state media.
The United States is the only country in the world with more than 200,000 confirmed infections at present. Spain and Italy have over 100,000.
Saudi Arabia is expecting up to 200,000 coronavirus cases within weeks, the country’s health minister said today. Pictured: two women wearing masks in Qatif
Some Saudi cities including the capital Riyadh are under a 24-hour curfew imposed by the interior minister yesterday.
Tabuk, Dammam, Dhahran and Hofuf are also under lockdown, as well as the regions of Jeddah, Taif, Qatif and Khobar.
The holy cities of Mecca and Medina have been sealed off, throwing this year’s hajj pilgrimage into doubt.
Authorities last week urged Muslims to temporarily defer preparations for the annual pilgrimage, but have yet to say whether the hajj will go ahead.
The Arab world’s biggest economy has also closed down cinemas, malls and restaurants and halted flights as it steps up efforts to contain the virus.
King Salman has warned of a ‘more difficult’ fight ahead against the virus, as the country faces the double blow of an economic standstill and crashing oil prices.
More to follow.