A worker wearing protective gears disinfects a door as a precaution against the new coronavirus at a subway station in Seoul, South Korea, Feb 28, 2020. (AHN YOUNG-JOON/AP)

SEOUL/TOKYO/DUBAI/DOHA - South Korea reported 813 new coronavirus infections on Saturday, its biggest daily increase since the first infection was confirmed on Jan 20, taking its tally to 3,150 cases.

The tally of deaths was 16, unchanged from a day earlier.

South Korea urged citizens on Saturday to stay indoors as it warned of a “critical moment” in its battle on the coronavirus.

Abe seeks citizens' help 

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday called on the public to cooperate in a “tough battle” to contain the coronavirus outbreak in coming weeks as the country prepares to hold the Olympic Games in Tokyo as planned.

To be frank, we cannot win this battle through the efforts of the government alone

Shinzo Abe, Japan PM

“To be frank, we cannot win this battle through the efforts of the government alone,” Abe told a news conference two days after calling for all schools nationwide to be closed for more than a month.

Japan has seen more than 940 cases of infection of the virus, including 705 from the British-registered Diamond Princess cruise liner, which was quarantined near Tokyo this month, according to the public broadcaster, NHK. There have been 11 fatalities, including six from the cruise ship, Japan’s handling of which drew harsh criticism overseas and at home.

Abe acknowledged the burden that parents would face due to the school closures and said the government would create a fund to subsidize workers who had to take time off work to care for their children.

READ MORE: Hokkaido declares emergency, S. Korea infection tally tops 2300

He said measures, using 270 billion yen (US$2.50 billion) in budget reserves, including steps for smaller firms, would be coming in the next 10 days.

The government has asked for large scale sports and cultural events be canceled, postponed or scaled down for the next two weeks.

The government was also closely watching the global economy and would take fiscal steps as necessary to counter the economic impact of the spreading virus.

Two women jog with face masks on as others walk while enjoying their weekend afternoon at Pardisan Park in Tehran, Iran, Feb 28, 2020. (VAHID SALEMI/AP)

Qatar reports 1st case

Qatar’s health ministry reported on Saturday the first case of coronavirus infection in the country.

With Qatar reporting its first infection, Saudi Arabia becomes the only Gulf country not to have signaled any coronavirus case

The patient is a 36 year-old Qatari who returned recently from Iran, the ministry said in a statement, adding that he is a stable condition.

With Qatar reporting its first infection, Saudi Arabia becomes the only Gulf country not to have signaled any coronavirus case.

Iran toll at 43

The majority of infections in other Gulf countries were diagnosed in people who had visited Iran or who came into contact with people who had been there.

The only deaths reported so far in the region are in Iran.

The United Arab Emirates advised banks to reschedule loans and reduce fees and commissions on Saturday as part of measures to mitigate the economic effects of the coronavirus outbreak.

Kuwait called on its citizens to avoid traveling over concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. 

Australian woman who returns from Iran infected

Australia reported another case of coronavirus after a woman who returned to the northern state of Queensland from Iran tested positive

Australia reported another case of coronavirus after a woman who returned to the northern state of Queensland from Iran tested positive.

The 63-year-old beautician is in a stable condition and is in isolation at the Gold Coast University Hospital, where she was admitted after feeling unwell at work on Thursday. Health officials are trying to track down up to 40 clients she treated that day, said the state’s chief health officer, Jeannette Young. The risk of human-to-human transmission is low, said Queensland Minister for Health, Steven Miles.

Australia will deny entry to all foreign nationals traveling from Iran due to the escalating outbreak of coronavirus in the Islamic republic, the government said on Saturday.

Foreign nationals traveling from Iran to Australia would need to spend 14 days in another country from March 1, Health Minister Greg Hunt said.

New infection in Thailand takes tally to 42

Thailand recorded a new coronavirus infection, taking its tally to 42 cases since January, a health official said on Saturday.

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The victim is a 21-year-old Thai salesman whose job brought him exposure to foreign tourists.

Thailand has not yet had a death from the virus, although 28 patients have recovered and 14 are being treated in hospital.

Lebanon closes schools until March

Lebanon’s Education Ministry on Friday announced the closure of all schools until March 8 as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus.

The announcement came as the country’s fourth case of the virus, affecting a Syrian national quarantined at a Beirut hospital, was confirmed in a statement from the hospital.

Lebanon’s first three coronavirus cases were linked to passengers arriving on flights from Iran, which has seen the highest number of deaths from the virus outside China.