Dubai: Bahrain's Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday morning six new cases of coronavirus "Covid-19" — two Bahrainis and four Saudi nationals coming from Iran — which brings the number of infected to seven cases in two days.
The Bahraini couple who tested positive came from Iran via Dubai to Bahrain, where they were examined upon arrival at the airport.
The ministry stated that the couple came back to Bahrain after a visit to Iran and, upon testing positive for coronavirus, were quarantined.
Bahrain's first case was a school bus driver
According to Bahraini health ministry, the first case that was detected came back to Bahrain on February 21 from Iran via Dubai.
He did show any signs of coronavirus infection at that time.
All travelers on the flight has been contacted for testing and to ensure they are clear from the virus.
The man is a school bus driver who, according to the ministry, drove a number of students to three different schools on Sunday morning.
Parents and students were then also called for testing and schools were closed to limit its spread.
Late on Monday, Bahrain has suspended all its flights from Dubai airport and Sharjah airport for 48 hours over coronavirus concerns.
Dubai-based Emirates Airline has announced that passengers across its network holding tickets for final destination in Bahrain will not be accepted for boarding at their point of origin.
"Passengers affected in Dubai will be offered flights to Dammam, KSA, if applicable, or a return flight to journey start point if holding return tickets," the airline said in a statement posted on its website.
"Affected customers should contact their travel agent, or Emirates office for rebooking options or refunds," the airlines said. EK837/838, EK839/840, EK833/83, EK835/836 are the Emirates flights cancelled to Bahrain.
By afternoon on Tuesday the number of cases climbed up to 17, with 9 new cases infected with the coronavirus (covid-19) were diagnosed.
The new cases are for Bahraini and Saudi citizens coming from Iran reportedly via Dubai and Sharjah through Bahrain International Airport.
Bahrain's Ministry of Health stated that the nine cases include four Bahraini women and two Bahraini men coming from Iran via Sharjah. One Bahraini came through Dubai, along with two Saudi women who came from Iran through Sharjah.
The ministry confirmed that it is conducting all the necessary tests for all travelers coming from affected countries upon their arrival at Bahrain International Airport in a designated hall at the airport.
