—File Photo

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health confirmed the first case of infection with new Coronavirus (COVID-19) for a citizen coming from Iran through the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The ministry affirmed that the citizen did not disclose his existence in Iran at the Saudi port, said a state-run news agency.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has reported 66 deaths and 1,501 confirmed cases of the new virus across the country. This is the second-highest toll outside China which the epicenter of the disease. The fatal disease has attacked over 40 countries across the globe.

The Saudi ministry said, "Within the framework of the ongoing precautionary measures, the Ministry sent an infection control team immediately to examine the citizen and to take a sample for a laboratory examination. The sample confirmed that he was infected with the virus”.

The ministry has assured everyone that the case was currently isolated in the hospital, adding that it was dealing with the case by providing health services in accordance with the approved health procedures.

"The people in contact with the infected person were allocated, and samples were taken from them for examination by the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control," the ministry disclosed, adding that all results will be announced upon completion of the examination.