The number of coronavirus cases in Saudi Arabia surpassed 100,000, the health ministry said, amid a new surge in infections just weeks ahead of the start of Haj, according to AFP.

The total number of infections rose to 101,914 — the highest in the Gulf — while the death toll climbed to 712, the ministry added.

The kingdom has seen infections spike as it eases stringent lockdown measures, with the number of daily cases exceeding 3,000 for the second day in a row.