Kuwait's coronavirus cases rise to 45

KUWAIT CITY

Kuwait confirmed two more cases of the new coronavirus Friday, taking the toll to 45, according to its Health Ministry.

"The two cases were in contact with the infected people who came from Iran before the outbreak was announced," the ministry said.

The ministry asserted stable health conditions of all cases and "efficiency of medical staff dealing with them at three medical quarantine centers."

Kuwait called off national day celebrations on Monday as part of its fight against the outbreak.

So far, Kuwait has evacuated around 800 citizens from Iran -- which has been hit hard by the virus.

The coronavirus was first detected in China in December 2019 and has spread to more than 45 other countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Singapore, France, Russia, Spain and India, raising global alarm.

* Writing by Mahmoud Barakat in Ankara.