RIYADH: Four male patients have died and seven others have been infected by the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) over the past two days, according to the Health Ministry.

The deceased are three Saudi men in their twenties and a Saudi man, 50, from Buraidah, while those infected are five from Buraidah — three women and two men — and one each in Taif and Jubail.

Since June 2012, 1,335 MERS cases were reported throughout the Kingdom, which include 567 deaths and 20 people currently undergoing treatment. Over the last four days there have been 19 new cases, which included seven deaths. Due to the rising incidence of the virus in Buraidah, the ministry has warned people in Al-Qassim to take precautions.