Coronavirus spreads in Middle East countries

Iraq health officials said their first case is an Iranian national studying in the southern shrine city of Najaf, while Oman reported its first two cases and halted flights to and from Iran with immediate effect, authorities and reports said.

Meanwhile, Iran's deputy health minister said on Tuesday he has tested positive for the coronavirus, as the country emerges as one of the worst-hit places outside of Asia. To date, the global coronavirus epidemic has seen the number of infections grow to almost 80 thousand across 37 countries and territories.