Saudi Arabia confirms 25 new coronavirus cases, two deaths

Saudi Arabian authorities confirmed 25 new cases of infection with the Middle East coronavirus respiratory syndrome (MERS) and two deaths, bringing the total number of infections to 396, including 109 deaths. Of the new cases, nine were in Riyadh, 10 in the city of Jeddah, where the outbreak began, four in Mecca and two in Medina.

Saudi authorities have expressed concern about the situation, with large numbers of pilgrims heading to Mecca and Medina in July to celebrate Ramadan and millions of believers expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia in October for the Hajj rites.

Separately, the United States confirmed its first case of MERS-CoV in a man who had recently visited Saudi Arabia, and Egypt also confirmed cases of infection.