Qatar reports another 38 people infected with COVID-19

DOHA, Qatar

Qatar reported 38 new coronavirus cases on Monday, taking the total number of infections to 439, according to the Health Ministry.

The new cases had contacted with expatriate workers, who are currently quarantined, the ministry said in a statement.

On Thursday, Qatari authorities closed all cinemas and theaters as part of its effort to stem the spread of the disease.

The new coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China last December, and has so far spread to some 150 countries and territories.

According to the World Health Organization, which declared the outbreak a pandemic, the death toll is nearly 6,500 amid roughly 165,000 confirmed cases.

*Writing by Mahmoud Mohamed Barakat