MERS kills one, infects 2

RIYADH: A woman died and two more cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) were reported in Riyadh Thursday.
The new incidence has brought the total of MERS cases in the Kingdom to 1,053 which included 465 deaths. Five hundred and eighty-one patients recovered from the illness and seven patients are currently being treated in hospitals across the Kingdom.
The deceased was a Saudi woman, who was treated in Riyadh. The fresh cases included a 52-year-old Saudi woman and a male expatriate, 54.
People with underlying health conditions such as heart problems, diabetes, kidney diseases, respiratory diseases, weak immunity and the elderly should avoid any close animal contacts when visiting farms and markets, a veterinary surgeon said.
Health Ministry spokesman Khalid Al-Mirghalani said the ministry has opened a 24-hour hotline (937) to help the members of the public on any matters related to MERS. He pointed out that the caller will be assured of his privacy and the authorities would offer their services as required by the callers through this line.
The official explained that there are three major hospitals in Dammam, Riyadh and Jeddah that have been designated as centers of excellence to treat MERS patients.