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A general view shows almost empty streets, during the 24 hours lockdown to counter the coronavirus outbreak in Riyadh Image Credit: Reuters

Dubai: Saudi Arabia reported 493 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 5,869, the Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday.

According to the ministry of health, the number of recoveries today were 42 , making total of recoveries in the kingdom 931, with 71 critical cases in intensive care.

The ministry also confirmed 6 deaths, bringing the total number of deaths in the kingdom to 79.

Saudi Arabia imposed a 24-hour curfew and lockdown on the cities of Riyadh, Tabuk, Dammam, Dhahran and Hofuf and throughout the governorates of Jeddah, Taif, Qatif and Khobar. This week the curfew was extended until further notice.

Overall, Saudi Arabia has reported one of the lowest rates of infections in the region, with around 5,000 cases in a population of over 30 million. Mecca was one of the first Saudi cities to be placed under a full-day curfew, and authorities took unprecedented precautions, suspending religious tourism in February and closing mosques across the country in March.