KUWAIT CITY — Kuwait tallied 606 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours to raise the total to 64,379, while five more people succumbed to the infectious disease, upping the death toll to 438, its health ministry said on Monday.

Of those infected, Kuwaiti nationals accounted for 358 cases (59.8 percent), while some 248 (40.92 percent) non-Kuwaitis contracted the virus, ministry spokesman Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad told KUNA.

In terms of health zones, he said Al-Ahmadi governorate recorded the highest numbers with 170 cases, followed by Farwaniya and Al-Jahra with 152 infections apiece, Hawally (70) and Capital (62).

The spokesman went on to say that 121 cases are currently in the intensive care unit, out of a total of 8,884 "active cases," while in the last day, some 64 people had completed their quarantine periods in designated facilities. However, they are still required to self-isolate at home for no less than 14 days, the spokesman added.

Kuwait has ratcheted up its coronavirus testing, with 3,828 tests carried out in the last 24 hours. The total tests now stand at 489,566, he revealed.

Meanwhile, some 684 people were cured of the virus in the last day, pushing the total to 55,057.

The spokesman reiterated the strict need to abide by health precautions as outlined by the ministry, mainly, following social distancing rules.

Curfew hours in Kuwait have been shortened and are now from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Kuwait is set to enter its “phase three” of coronavirus restrictions on July 28 and has since loosened several measures in place.

Mosques, malls, and restaurants reopened and commercial flights will resume operations to Kuwait’s International Airport from Aug. 1. — Agencies