Saudi Arabia reports 5 new MERS coronavirus cases

Saudi Arabia on Friday reported 5 new cases of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ( MERS) coronavirus infections, bringing the total to 1,024, Saudi health ministry reported.

The number of MERS-related deaths remained at 450 with no deaths reported Friday.

Of the 5 new cases, 2 expat patients are in intensive care. There are 9 cases that are receiving treatment at hospital and 2 patients are in house isolations.

The ministry also highlighted that no recovered cases were reported Friday.

The country has launched a nationwide operations control the infection and promote awareness about the illness that has no vaccine yet.

Saudi Arabia registered the first case of the infection in 2012. Last month the country was considered with the largest number of cases in the world.