Okaz/Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Health has warned against spreading rumors, saying that rumors pose greater risk than the coronavirus itself as they cause unwarranted scare.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Dr. Mohamed Abdel Ali, spokesman of the ministry, urged the public not to circulate rumors, and to contact with the ministry for any inquiries about the virus.

“All audio or video clips being circulated about coronavirus infections in the Kingdom that were not announced by the ministry are incorrect ones,” he said, while warning those who are engaged in circulation of rumors.

The spokesman also called on people to avoid gatherings as infection risk increases markedly in groups. Abdel-Ali said that the 106 confirmed corona cases were linked to travel outside the Kingdom, coming from around 20 countries. “Condition of all the detected 133 cases is stable except one,” he said.

Abdel Ali noted that no cases of corona have been detected from the Kingdom’s schools. “More than 700,000 people have been subjected to medical tests on various entry ports of the Kingdom. Intensive efforts are underway to contain the virus,” he added.