# 8454
A sign of increasing concern among residents of Saudi Arabia is that Arabic social media – in particular twitter – has gone ballistic this morning over the MERS coronavirus.
I’m tracking about 30 new tweets a minute containing the word كورونا (`SK’ or `Corona’) coming across the transom, many with photos attached. Before Chrome can auto translate a batch, another 20 have arrived.
Many, of course, are re-tweets. A growing trend are tweets critical of the MOH. And some are suggesting there are `many more suspected’ cases being tested.
That, in itself, may not mean much given the epidemiological investigation - including the monitoring and testing of contacts of known cases - who could legitimately be called `suspected cases’.
Frankly, I’d be highly surprised (and very disappointed) if they weren’t testing a lot of people.
Whatever the veracity of these tweets (and many do appear to be of dubious quality), their sheer volume is a good indication of just how much worry there is over this MERS outbreak, and how hollow many regard the assurances from the MOH that the situation is `stable’.
I suspect anyone with a cold or the sniffles in Saudi Arabia right now suspects it’s really MERS. The level of viral paranoia there is running understandably high. So, unless I can find reasonable confirmation of these stories, they won’t be appearing in this blog.
Although it is akin to going down the rabbit hole, for those with a desire to watch this passing twitter parade, the easiest solution is to use Google Chrome - with automatic translation ON – and use the url:
https://twitter.com/search?q=%D9%83%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A7&f=realtime
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has issued the following assurances:
Barqawi - already - RIYADH: Health Minister Dr..Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabiah, the situation for the Corona virus is still assured by the grace of God and that the number of cases that have appeared in Jeddah is no different from the rest of the regions of the Kingdom.
He explained that the ministry has noticed an increase limited number of cases of Corona virus "Mirs" During the past few weeks with the emergence of eleven case in Jeddah, but the number of cases in general is still low and does not represent an epidemic and thankfully according to World Health Organization standards and scientific committees.
He called on all citizens and residents not to be deceived by rumors or call you back unreliable in the means of social communication, asking the media to take the information from official sources accredited representative agency, the Ministry of Public Health or the Ministry's website or the official spokesman of the ministry, and has shown His Excellency that the ministry will make clear to all any information important in this regard and where they are on the clock to provide its website all the latest developments of the virus and the number of cases.
He called on everyone to follow instructions issued by the ministry and taking prevention to stay away from the suspected cases or wearing a mask and wash your hands when contact with cases of inflammation of the respiratory system and the need to comply with guidelines and tips awareness issued by the ministry in this regard.
He pointed out that the ministry is providing care customary in such cases, and they are in constant contact and full coordination with the World Health Organization and the scientific bodies of national and global per Newcomer, pointing Ma'aleh the National Scientific Committee for Infectious Diseases will meet her on Thursday to discuss the latest developments of the virus locally and internationally.
He concluded by saying that the Corona virus is still a mystery in the world and there is no confirmed information about modes of transmission, as there is no vaccine or cure of its own.
He asked God Almighty Sire to preserve this country and its leadership and its citizens and all those who live on the Theraha Taher of all evils.
