Manama: Coronavirus cases in the gulf countries crossed 22,574 on Friday with more than 149 deaths as the pandemic further jumped in Saudi Arabia and infection cases soared in the UAE and Qatar.
The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council is showing a sharp increase in the number of infections and deaths over the past few weeks as the pandemic spreads exponentially.
10 deaths and over 2,023 new positive cases of Covid-19 were recorded across the gulf countries on Friday, the biggest one-day spike so far. Among the deaths reported yesterday, four people were died in Saudi Arabia, while the UAE, Kuwait and Oman reported two each.
Saudi Arabia had the most infections and deaths followed by the UAE. It had reported 7,142 cases of confirmed infections up until Friday and 87 deaths.
The county recorded on Friday the highest number of coronavirus cases in a day as 762 more people tested positive for the novel virus, according to the ministry of Health.
Besides, four more people died due to coronavirus on the same day.
The sudden jump in cases is a reflection of increased testing in the dense populated areas recently, the ministry of health said.
As of Friday, 59 more patients were discharged from hospitals or isolation facilities, bringing the total number of those who have fully recovered to 1,049. There are 74 cases under intensive care.
The total registered cases across the GCC stands as: Saudi Arabia-7,142, UAE-6,302, Qatar-4,663, Bahrain-1,740, Kuwait-1,658, and Oman-1.069.
Meanwhile, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia said communal Taraweeh and Eid prayers during Ramadan will be performed at home if the coronavirus pandemic continues.
His announcement comes a week before the Holy month is estimated to begin.
