Bahrain reported the Arab Gulf's first death from the coronavirus on Monday and Saudi Arabia urged its citizens to stay at home as the region broadened measures to shield populations and economies from the outbreak, Reuters reports.

Nearly 1,000 people have tested positive for the virus in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, and member states have restricted entry and movement.

“We hope citizens will stay at home and not go out unless needed,” Saudi Health Minister Tawfiq Al Rabiah told a news conference on Monday.