Doha(ANN)-Qatar announced 238 new confirmed cases of coronavirus today saying the number of infections was likely to increase, Al Jazeera reported.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Gulf state is now 262 cases so far.

The Ministry of Health said the number of people infected “is likely to increase among contacts of previously announced patients”.

The ministry called “on community members to be reassured that all declared cases enjoy a very good health condition and receive medical care at the Center for Transitional Diseases.”

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Qatar and a number of neighbouring Gulf states have closed all education institutes over fears of the spread of the virus. It also banned entry of travellers from 14 countries.

The 14 countries are China, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria and Thailand.

Qatar Airways, the country’s national carrier, had already suspended flights to and from Italy, one of the hardest-hit countries.