By Tamara Abueish

DUBAI -- Bahrain reported 173 new coronavirus cases, most of which were detected in expatriate workers, which brings the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country to 5,409, according to the Ministry of Health.

The total number of active cases in Bahrain is 3,218, the ministry said.

Expatriate workers made up 121 of the newly detected cases, while the 53 other infections were reported in people who had contact with previously infected individuals.

On Saturday, the ministry said that 16 members of the same family contracted the coronavirus from one infected relative during a Ramadan iftar gathering.

The small island kingdom allowed shops and industrial enterprises to reopen last week as the government eased restrictions implemented to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Bahrain had shuttered non-essential shops and businesses in late March and barred entry of foreign visitors, but did not impose a curfew, unlike some other Gulf states. -- Al Arabiya English