Riyadh: The Saudi authorities have registered 21 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) corona virus cases in the week ending on Aug 15, media reported on Sunday.

MERS, also known as Coronavirus, causes symptoms similar to colds in individuals it infects.

The health ministry said the number includes 20 cases in Riyadh, and one in Abha, Xinhua reported.

The total number of confirmed MERS cases since its appearance is 1,072, 588 of whom were cured, with 25 cases still undergoing treatment, in addition to four domestically quarantined cases.

The announcement was issued as Saudi Arabia plans a nationwide campaign to prevent the virus from spreading amongst pilgrims who have started arriving from all over the world to perform the Hajj (major Islamic pilgrimage).

The ministry recently announced a free-of-contagious-diseases season, including MERS corona, amongst pilgrims who performed the Omra (minor Islamic pilgrimage) in the summer.