UPDATED: KSA’s MOH has now posted an English version, and it indicates that the fatality is indeed, a newly reported case.
MOH: ‘Three New Cases of Novel Coronavirus Recorded and One Case Passed Away’
9/8/2013
Within the framework of the constant monitoring and epidemic surveillance of the novel Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the Ministry of Health (MOH) has announced that three confirmed cases have been recorded. The first case is for a 74-year-old female citizen in Hafr Al-Batin, who was in contact with a confirmed case of this virus. The new case is suffering from various chronic diseases, and she is currently at the ICU.
The second case is for a 64-year-old female citizen in Riyadh, who also has been suffering from various chronic diseases, and she is currently at the ICU receiving the proper treatment.
The third case is for a 75-year-old female citizen in Riyadh, who has been suffering from chronic respiratory diseases, and she is now receiving the proper treatment but her health status is stable.
Within the same vein, MOH has announced the death of a 74-year-old case for a male citizen in Madinah, who was in contact with a confirmed case, May Allah have mercy upon him.
MOH also calls on everyone to visit the website of this disease; in order to recognize it, its symptoms and prevention methods against it on the following link: www.moh.gov.sa/CoronaNew.
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Although their statements are cryptic, and oft times confusing, for the third day in a row Saudi Arabia has announced new MERS-CoV cases.
Again today’s announcement concerns four cases, although it’s headline cites three cases. It isn’t clear whether the fourth (fatal) case mentioned is a new case, or a previously reported one (see update above).
The MOH’s English language coronavirus news feed has not been updated since Sept 1st. Here is the translated Saudi MOH statement.
(Health) announces (3) new HIV infections (Corona) New .. And deaths
11/04/1434
In light of the efforts of the Ministry of Health to investigate and follow-up virus Corona new strain of AIDS Middle East respiratory (MERS-CoV), Ministry announces the registration of three cases infected with the virus, the first citizen contact with the confirmed case of the virus dug subcontractors at the age of 74 years, and infected with chronic illnesses multiple, which is Currently intensive care.
The second case is a citizen in Riyadh at the age of 64 years, and infected as well as multiple chronic diseases, and also receive intensive care treatment.
The third case of a citizen in Riyadh at the age of 75 years, suffer from chronic respiratory diseases, and receive treatment, and in stable condition.
The ministry also announced on the status of the death of the virus to the city area citizen at the age of 74 years Mkhalt of confirmed cases infected with the virus, may he rest in peace.
The ministry invites everyone to see on the site devoted to this disease; to know him and its symptoms and prevention methods, and on the following link:
The Saudi graphic at the top of this page indicates 96 cases, and 47 fatalities – which is 4 cases less than have been publicly announced by the MOH (see Flutrackers MERS List). Exactly why this should be is a bit of a mystery.
KSA may not be counting all of the asymptomatic cases they’ve reported, their graphic artist might not work the weekend, or perhaps they’re just confused as we are.
In any event, the numbers we have (official or otherwise) are unlikely to fully represent the spread of this virus.
They are useful to indicate trends (rate of new cases, number of HCWs infected, asymptomatic cases) but not as the definitive word on how many people have contracted the virus.
