(VOVworld) – Saudi Arabia's Health Ministry reported seven more MERS cases last weekend, bringing the total number of patients to 65. Deputy Minister of Public Health, Dr. Abdul Abdulaziz bin Saeed, said Saudi Arabia has taken necessary steps to prevent the disease from spreading. He said 53 people, including 4 medical workers, have tested MERS positive at Riyadh’s King Fahd Hospital. 17 people died from MERS this month at the hospital. 32 people are under treatment, 3 patients are quarantined at their homes. One patient was discharged following recovery. Saudi Arabia reported its first MERS case in 2012 and 1,141 people have contracted the virus so far.