BAGHDAD

Iraq and Lebanon both reported new cases of the novel coronavirus Thursday as it continues to spread throughout the Middle East.    

The number of confirmed cases of the virus, officially known as COVID-19, has risen to seven in Iraq and three in Lebanon.   

Two more cases were confirmed in Baghdad and Kirkuk, said a Health Ministry spokesman.   

One of them, a 51-year-old man, was in Iran a short time ago, he said.   

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the new type of coronavirus was detected in an Iranian who entered the country on Feb. 24.   

At least nine countries in the Middle East currently have the coronavirus.  

The global death toll from COVID-19 is around 2,800, and China, where the outbreak originated, is the worst hit, with more than 78,000 cases and over 2,700 fatalities.

*Writing by Davut Demircan