Riyadh, March 12, 2020, SPA -- The committee concerned with following up on the health situation of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) held today its 22nd meeting under chairmanship of Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawazan Al-Rabiah. During the meeting, the committee reviewed all reports and developments of the virus as well as the epidemiological situation of the virus worldwide including the confirmed cases in the Kingdom, with an emphasis on applying all preventive measures in entry ports. Following the meeting, Dr. Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aali, spokesman of the Ministry of Health, confirmed that the total number of confirmed cases with the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) around the world amounted to 126,000 cases in 121 countries, adding that 68,000 cases recovered so far. He disclosed that the number of deaths reached 4,600. "So far, 45 cases are confirmed in the Kingdom, (17 males and 28 females). Seven cases have been linked to arrivals coming from Iran, three from Iraq, three passing through Iran and Iraq, 24 from Egypt, one from The Philippines through Italy, whose situation is currently diagnosed as critical, and five cases recorded due to contacting with positive cases. In hospitals, there are 17 cases in Al-Qatif, four in Dammam, 22 in Makkah and one case in each of Riyadh and Jeddah)," Dr. Al-Abd Al-Aali said, adding that 2,500 cases are quarantined and isolated at home. The spokesman affirmed that the total number who received medical tests reached 4,300 cases and those examined in ports reached 570,000 people, pointing out that the Health Center (937) received 106,000 calls about the new Coronavirus. Dr. Al-Abd Al-Aali urged anyone coming from infected areas to communicate with the Health Center (937), warning from rumors about this virus. --SPA 21:15 LOCAL TIME 18:15 GMT 0027 www.spa.gov.sa/w1287337