KUWAIT: Up to 736 persons tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kuwait in the past 24 hours, official spokesman of the Ministry of Health announced yesterday. Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad, in a statement to the press, said the total caseload of infections climbed to 94,211.

There was a single death due to infection with the pathogen during the same period of time, raising the death toll to 558 since the outbreak of the disease in the country months ago. The health ministry had reported earlier that the number of recovery cases during the past 24 hours stood at 744, with the whole number of the recuperated since the outbreak amounting to 84,404.

Among those infected in the latest group, there were cases that had contracted the virus from infected persons, but contamination circumstances of the other cases were not determined. The new infection cases were recorded in the health zones as following: 181 in Hawally, 156 in Al-Ahmadi, 150 in Farwaniya, 143 in the capital and 106 in Al-Jahraa. Moreover, there are currently 94 patients receiving medical aid in intensive care wards, with the whole count of those of confirmed infection and remained under treatment standing at 9,249.

The number of swab tests conducted over the past 24 hours reached 4,998 and the whole number of such tests stood at 673,003, Dr Sanad said. He reiterated the call upon citizens and residents to take all necessary precautions against the virus, abstain from mingling with others, observe social distancing and examine medical guidelines posted online by state departments, namely the health ministry. - KUNA