Covid-19 Outbreak In the Middle East -- News Updates March 2, 2020 (Evening Edition)

ABC News Online: Coronavirus's spread in Iran sees nation become focus of COVID-19 fears in Middle East

As Iran becomes a new hotbed for coronavirus outside of China, authorities around the world are scrambling to expand their travel restrictions to stem the spread of the disease.

Tehran reported a 65 per cent jump in new confirmed coronavirus cases overnight, from 593 the day before to 978.

Of those, 54 have died from the virus — the highest death toll outside China — according to official figures, but there are reports the real figure has surpassed 200.

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Covid-19 Outbreak In the Middle East -- News Updates March 2, 2020 (Evening Edition)

Saudi Arabia announces first case of coronavirus -- France 24
First coronavirus case in Saudi Arabia: Ministry of Health confirms -- Gulf News
Saudi Arabia announces first case of coronavirus -- Reuters
Saudi Arabia prepares 25 hospitals to handle coronavirus cases -- Middle East Monitor
Iraq announces two new coronavirus cases - Health Ministry -- Reuters
Iraq's coronavirus cases rise to 21 -- Anadolu Agency
Tunisia, Jordan and Indonesia confirm cases of coronavirus as Iran reveals 1,500 patients have been infected out of 90,000 worldwide -- Daily Mail
Adviser to Ayatollah Khamenei becomes first senior Iranian official to die from coronavirus as opposition group claims death toll is TEN times higher than official figures -- Daily Mail
Iranians fearful and struggling to cope as virus spreads -- AFP
Virus reopens religion versus science debate in Iran -- AFP
Alarming videos show Iranians LICKING holy shrines in religious tradition as country's clerical hardliners refuse to close sites despite coronavirus outbreak -- Daily Mail