Saudi vows to ensure schools free from MERS coronavirus infection

Saudi Arabia will focus on the safety of schools under the current situation of the spread of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus, Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. The Saudi Minister of Health Adel M. Fakeih highlighted in a meeting with concerned organizations that there should be cooperation on safety enhancement with the education ministry to avoid the spread of the virus in schools. This comes as a precaution measure after the ministry of education has announced that all education institutions were infection-free and there was no need for closing down any school. The health minister also revealed in the meeting that a nation- wide campaign on how to self-protect from the infection will be launched to the public soon. Saudi Arabia announces new cases almost every day. Although no cases were reported so far on Friday, there were 10 cases on Thursday which increased the total of MERS coronavirus cases to 371, including 107 deaths, since the first diagnosed case was reported in the country in 2012.