Qatar has detected 238 new cases of the coronavirus in expatriates who contracted the virus after coming in contact with the three infected patients announced earlier this week, Qatar News Agency reported.

All 238 patients with the coronavirus contracted the disease after coming in contact with the three residents residing in the same housing compound, according to Qatar’s health ministry.

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“The Ministry of Public Health clarifies that the new cases that have been registered are those who were subject to quarantine as a precautionary measure since the discovery of the infected the three arrivals,” the statement read.

On Monday, Qatar banned the entry of arrivals from 14 countries. The ban includes China, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria and Thailand. Qatar Airways had previously suspended flights to and from Italy.

Qatar reported its first case of coronavirus on February 29 in a citizen returning from Iran. Doha had previously evacuated its citizens as well as Kuwait's from Iran as the virus had hit Iran hard.

The World Health Organization on Wednesday declared coronavirus a global pandemic as there are now over 126,000 cases globally and the death toll of COVID-19, or coronavirus, has topped 4,600. It is now in at least 114 countries.

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Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:57 - GMT 06:57