Two Arab states confirm new coronavirus cases

Health authorities in Palestine and Oman reported fresh cases of the novel coronavirus on Saturday.

In statements, Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila said four new cases were recorded in the West Bank cities of Ramallah and Hebron, taking the total infections in the occupied territory to 52, including 17 recoveries.

Notably, the Gaza Strip has not reported any infection until Saturday.

In Oman, the Health Ministry reported four new infections, taking the total cases in the Gulf state to 52.

A ministry statement said 13 people have recovered from the virus.

The virus, which emerged in Wuhan, China last December, has spread to at least 166 countries and regions around the globe, while the tally of confirmed cases topped 275,000, according to data compiled by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

The global death toll has exceeded 11,000, causing a chain reaction as governments place countries on lockdown to stem the spread.

China, Italy, Iran, and Spain continue to be the most affected countries.

Despite the rising number of cases, a vast majority of those infected by the virus suffer mild symptoms and recover.

* Bassel Ibrahim contributed to this report from Ankara