Coronavirus Updates

Slovakia on Saturday administered coronavirus swab tests to nearly half of its population, with more than 2.5 million people taking the test and 25,850 testing positive.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday announced a month-long lockdown from Thursday until December 2 after being warned that without increased restrictions, hospitals could be overwhelmed with coronavirus cases as the UK passed 1 million confirmed infections.

Israel eased coronavirus restrictions on Sunday, including allowing first to fourth graders to return to school as part of the second stage of a multi-stage lockdown exit. Houses of worship were also allowed to reopen at limited capacity of up to 10 people, as were barbershops, beauty salons and bed and breakfasts.

Saudi Arabia is allowing international pilgrims to perform the Umrah, the year-round Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, after a seven-month suspension due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday announced new restrictions to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the hardest-hit country in the Middle East. Starting on Wednesday, cinemas, cafes, gyms and pools will be closed for 10 days in 46 counties. Events and gatherings will also be suspended while students will take courses online.

Two top Turkish officials who work closely with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. They are the president’s spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, and Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu.

The number of reported coronavirus cases in the Middle East has passed the 3 million mark, according to an AP tally made on Friday.

The United States on Friday passed 9 million coronavirus cases and broke its own record for new daily infections for the second day in a row, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University.