Saudi Arabia reports new coronavirus fatality

Saudi Arabia on Monday reported a new death from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), commonly known as coronavirus, bringing the total number of MERS-related fatalities in the kingdom to 190 since 2012.

In a statement, the Health Ministry said that three more people had contracted the virus, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 575 since September 2012, when the virus first appeared. The latest reports bring the total number of cases registered in the country this month to five, two of which have led to fatalities.

MERS, for which no cure currently exists, is known for destroying the lungs and kidneys. Along with Saudi Arabia, MERS has also been reported in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Jordan, Egypt and Oman. It is presumed that long-term physical contact with persons carrying the virus can lead to infection.