RIYADH: A 72-year-old man died and three women were infected with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus in Riyadh bringing the total number of cases in the Kingdom to 1,174 on Sunday.

Since June 2012, MERS cases included 472 deaths while 685 patients recovered from the illness and 17 patients are currently taking treatment in the hospitals throughout the Kingdom.

The three new cases included a 55-year-old expatriate woman and two Saudi women whose ages are 31 and 60.

Responding to a question, Health Ministry spokesman Khaled Al-Mirghalani told Arab News that the ministry has been monitoring the recent cases which are happening in various places in the capital.

“There is no specific reason for such incidence. However, we are continuing to carry out our campaign in all parts of the Kingdom including Riyadh,” Al-Mirghalani said, pointing out that the ministry has a full-fledged scientific committee to monitor the spread of the disease on a 24/7 basis.

“We have a state-of-the art network to link all health officials throughout the Kingdom to contact them in no time to pass on messages concerning to the virus,” he added.

Al-Mirghalani said the ministry has opened a 24-hour hotline, 937, to help members of the public on any matters related to MERS. He pointed out that the caller will be assured of his privacy and authorities will offer the 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. In addition to these facilities, he said the ministry has assigned 20 more well-equipped hospitals in all health regions to look after MERS casualties.