A boy wearing a mask is held by his father in Taif, in this June 7, 2014 photo.

There has been no fresh case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the past 25 days, the Ministry of Health announced.

And there is additional good news. Two patients — a 49-year-old citizen in Hofuf and a 44-year-old medical official in Madinah — made a full recovery from the infection this week.

Unfortunately, a woman connected with medical work in Jeddah, died on the last day of Ramadan, bringing the death toll to 298 and the total number of cases to 721 since September 2012.

A total of 396 patients made a full recovery during this period.

Health Minister Adel Fakeih confirmed in a press statement that the ministry is taking the downward trend of the virus very seriously.

“Precautionary measures are still in force,” he said.

MERS, which is thought to originate in camels, causes coughing, fever and pneumonia. The disease is thought to have an incubation period of around two weeks and testing by the authorities can take several days.

Saudi Arabia and the World Health Organization have said they are imposing no travel or other restrictions due to MERS for the upcoming Haj, but have encouraged very young or old pilgrims, and those suffering from chronic disease, not to come this year.

 
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