Nearly 7,000 COVID-19 Cases in the Middle East... Spread Through Iran Pilgrimage Sites

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Middle East, emerging as a new major hotspot for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) alongside Europe, has seen its cumulative confirmed cases approach 7,000, nearly doubling in just three days. In the Middle East, both confirmed cases and deaths are rapidly increasing, centered around Iran.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 8th (local time), Iran's cumulative number of COVID-19 confirmed cases rose to 6,566. Across 12 Middle Eastern countries including Iran, the total cumulative confirmed cases reached 6,992, nearing 7,000. This is nearly double the 3,755 cases reported on the 5th. The death toll has also surpassed 200, with Iran reporting 194 deaths, Iraq 6, and Egypt 1.

About 94% of the confirmed COVID-19 cases identified in the Middle East are concentrated in Iran, and a significant number of confirmed cases in other Middle Eastern countries have been traced back to travel to Iran or contact with Iranians. It is known that the virus is spreading rapidly mainly through Shia Muslim pilgrims who visited holy sites in Iran and their families. Consequently, countries with large Shia populations such as Bahrain (85 cases), Kuwait (64 cases), and Iraq (60 cases) have seen a significant increase in confirmed cases.

In Saudi Arabia, all 11 confirmed cases were found to be Shia Muslims or their family members who had visited holy sites in Iran. As a result, the eastern Qatif region, where more than 500,000 Shia residents live, was temporarily locked down. The Saudi government explained that all 11 confirmed cases reside in Qatif. Saudi authorities are focusing on tracing the whereabouts and movements of their nationals who recently entered Iran, considering them as sources of infection.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.