RIYADH — Saudi Arabia on Wednesday reported six new coronavirus deaths and 493 new infections, raising the virus-related death toll in the Kingdom to 79 and the total number of confirmed cases to 5,862. The six new deaths are all of people who had chronic illnesses before they were infected with the virus, Ministry of Health spokesman Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdel Ali told a regular press briefing here Wednesday's casualties include two Saudis in Madinah who were between the age of 70 and 72, a 67-year-old Saudi woman in Makkah and three residents who were between the age of 35 and 57, the ministry spokesman said. Out of the 493 new cases, 109 were reported in Madinah, 86 in Hufof, 84 in Dammam, 69 in Jeddah, 56 in Riyadh, and 40 in Makkah. There were nine cases in Taif, six each in Jubail and Al-Makhwa, five in Ar'ar, four each in Yanbu and Qatif, two each in Al-Baha and Ras Tanura, one each in Al-Zulfi, Al-Khobar, Al-Muzaylif, Al-Quraie and Dhahran. There is no evidence on how hotter weather could affect the coronavirus, Dr. Al-Abdel Ali had said on Tuesday, adding that people should refrain from believing in rumors. Lifting the lockdown early may have negative effects and the ministry is continuing to assess the situation daily to determine when restrictions will be lifted, he added. The ministry spokesman emphasized the urgent need for citizens and residents to remain at home and maintain social distancing practices to ensure that the virus does not spread further.
