# 10,444
Despite the positive spin provided last night by the Saudi MOH (see Saudi MOH Statement On The Riyadh MERS Outbreak – Aug 23rd) and dutifully echoed overnight the the Arabic press, today’s MERS report has little good news to offer. Not only are 7 new cases announced – all from Riyadh – five recent deaths were also announced.
Details, as always, are sketchy – but of the 7 cases today, only two are cited as being contacts of confirmed cases, while one is under review. Which leaves us with 4 cases without a known risk exposure.
Today’s announcement bring to 97 the number of cases announced over the past 3 weeks, with all but a small handful coming from the capital city Riyadh.
