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KUWAIT CITY, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait reported seven new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 130, the Health Ministry announced Tuesday.

At a press conference, the ministry's spokesman Abdullah Al-Sanad said that all the new cases were Kuwaiti citizens returning from Britain.

Among the 130 patients, 12 have recovered and 118 are still receiving treatment, he added.

Kuwait decided on March 11 to suspend all commercial flights to curb the spread of COVID-19. The measure took effect on March 13.

The government also decided to close shops, malls, and barbershops.