DAMMAM — Saudi Arabia has taken utmost precautions while dealing with the new coronavirus, Al-Arabiya quoted Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah as saying. The minister emphasized citizens’ role and responsibility in combating the corona epidemic, saying that the virus is a “big challenge to the world”. Al-Rabiah made these remarks his visit to the Crisis and Disaster Management Center at the emirate of the Eastern Province. Prince Saud Bin Naif, emir of the Eastern Province, and Prince Ahmad Bin Fahd Bin Salman, deputy emir of the region, were also present. Saudi Arabia began taking precautionary measures well before any case of the virus was detected in the country, Al-Rabiah noted. “The Kingdom, with its wise leadership, managed to deal with the cases taking decisive and precise measures. There work has been going on continuously round the clock in implementing these precautions,” he said, while lauding the achievements and contributions made by the Crisis and Disaster Management Center in curbing the virus in the Eastern Province. Meanwhile, Muhammad Abdel Aali, spokesman of the ministry, said that the number of confirmed corona cases in the Kingdom reached 171, of which 104 infected people are Saudis. A total of 38 people contracted the disease through their contacts with the infected people, he said while adding that there was no outbreak of coronavirus in health facilities. “Condition of all the infected people is stable except one,” he said. He also urged the public to follow the instructions and avoid handshaking and public gatherings.