OPN_Corona_Saudi
The deserted streets in the Saudi holy city of Mecca during a a curfew to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Image Credit: AFP

Cairo: Four health officials have lost their jobs in the Saudi governorate of Samtah after seven cases of the novel coronavirus have been registered there, the Saudi news portal Ajel reported Monday.

Those sacked were the director of the Samtah Hospital as well as the heads of the medical directorate, nursing directorate and the anti-infection division in the governorate, according to the report.

The Covid-19 cases recorded in the governorate include four health workers at the Samtah Hospital, the portal added. Samtah is part of Jizan region in south-western Saudi Arabia where a total of 27 coronavirus cases have been confirmed.

The Saudi Health Ministry Sunday reported new 429 virus cases and seven more deaths in the country, raising the kingdom's tally to 4,462 infections including overall 59 fatalities.