The KOM MP claimed that the death toll is far higher than the country's official authorities claim • A first case of the deadly virus was discovered in Bahrain

• Kuwait Health Minister Sheikh Basel al-Saban at Kuwait Airport // Photo: AFP

Corona virus spreads in Persian Gulf: Iranian member of parliament from Qom claimed Monday that the number of victims of the Celestial virus is 50, rather than 12, as the country's official authorities reported. His remarks were posted on the ILNA website, the semi-official news agency.

However, it is a communication body affiliated with the opposition. Lawmaker Ahmed Amiravadi Farahani was quoted on the website as saying that there are no less than 250 cases of contagion in the Iranian holy city.

Bahrain earlier reported a first case of the Corona virus, after health authorities said a citizen from Iran showed symptoms of the virus. Kuwait has reported three cases of the virus, one of which is a Saudi citizen, who was recently in Iran. Afghanistan has also approved a first case of the Corona virus - according to the country's health minister.

The three patients in Kuwait were among the 700 people evacuated from the city of Chad in Iran. The Saudi Ministry of Health has confirmed that it is coordinating with the Kuwait health authorities the treatment of the Saudi citizen, adding that the patient will remain in Kuwait until his recovery.
Meanwhile, Iraq has closed the Spawan border crossing to Kuwait - at Kuwait's request, due to concerns about the spread of the Corona virus.

In Bahrain, the first case of Corona was discovered. Bahrain's official news agency reported that "the patient was transferred to Ibrahim Khalil Medical Center for immediate testing, treatment and isolation. The firm has taken additional medical measures to monitor all persons who have been in contact with the patient and have referred them for isolation."

Bahrain's health ministry said it is taking additional preventive measures to ensure the virus does not spread, including monitoring the health of people coming from infected countries for a 14-day period, in accordance with international standards set by the World Health Organization.

"The ministry calls on all citizens and residents suffering from COVID19 symptoms, including fever, cough and difficulty breathing, or people who have traveled to one of the countries infected with the disease or contacted a person traveling from one of the office, or in contact with an infected patient, to isolate themselves, call 444 and track Instructions from the medical staff and to avoid close contact with others, ”the local health ministry said.

Iran: 4 more people died from the virus

In Iran, dozens of people have already been infected with the Corona virus, and on Monday, another 4 victims were reported in the country. This brings the number of deaths from the disease in Iran to 12. "The Minister of Health has announced the deaths of 12 people and 47 cases of infection in the country," said Iranian parliamentary spokesman Abdullah Abbasi.

Qatar Airways, one of the major Gulf airlines, announced today that it will transport passengers arriving from Iran and South Korea for isolation.