Handshake Leads to 18 Coronavirus Infections in Saudi Arabia

Social distancing measures are observed at the Masjid al-Nabawi in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Social distancing measures are observed at the Masjid al-Nabawi in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Handshake Leads to 18 Coronavirus Infections in Saudi Arabia

Social distancing measures are observed at the Masjid al-Nabawi in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Social distancing measures are observed at the Masjid al-Nabawi in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

A Saudi citizen who failed to respect preventive measures has been blamed for spreading the coronavirus to 16 members of his family, including his father, who succumbed to the disease.

A simple handshake by the citizen who was returning home from another city caused the cluster, revealed the Health Ministry.

The father had already been suffering from a heart condition before he died.

The ministry reported on Friday 3,938 new virus infections, taking the Kingdom’s total to 174,577. Adults made up the majority of cases at 86 percent, 10 percent among children and 4 percent in the elderly.

Cases were distributed in al-Dammam at 346, 332 in al-Hofouf, 294 in al-Mubarraz, 274 in Khamis Mushait, 243 in Jeddah, 237 in al-Qatif and 217 in Riyadh.

Recoveries have risen to 120,471 and fatalities to 1,474.

Meanwhile, some mosques were reopened for worshippers in the holy city of Makkah on Friday for the first time since the coronavirus restrictions were imposed.



Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
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Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA

Kuwait's foreign ministry issued on Sunday a circular indicating that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.”

Lebanon's health ministry expressed surprise and said it would seek clarification.

It said it received the Kuwaiti statement "with great surprise", adding it had not been provided with "any information or notification from any Kuwaiti entity about this matter.”

"The hospitals mentioned in the statement are registered with the syndicate of private hospitals in Lebanon and carry out their role in providing treatment and health services to all Lebanese without exception," the ministry statement said.

It called the facilities "an essential part of the Lebanese health system,” and said it would contact the relevant authorities to request clarification and "protect Lebanon's health system.”

It noted that "Kuwait has numerous joint projects with the ministry... and has been among the most prominent countries that have stood by the health system during the successive crises that Lebanon has faced.”

The latest move was "unprecedented and inconsistent" with the Gulf country's usual approach, it added.


Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Ramiro Martínez in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed developments of mutual interest.


Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
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Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed developments in Syria.