Saudi Arabia reported Wednesday the 17th death out of 31 novel coronavirus infection cases in the country, according to an official statement.

The 17th victim of the virus was a non-Saudi in al-Qassim region, who has been admitted to hospital a few days ago due to severe acute respiratory syndrome and passed away Tuesday, the health ministry said.

Most cases have been recorded so far among elderly patients and people with multiple chronic diseases, according to the ministry.

Since last year, tens of cases of infection with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed. The patients mainly came from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Britain. The transmissibility and pathogenesis of the novel coronavirus remains poorly understood.

Source: Xinhuanet