Kurdistan Region records highest daily coronavirus cases in 2021
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Kurdistan Region’s health ministry recorded over 1,300 new cases of coronavirus on Monday - the highest daily figure in 2021.
The ministry said in a statement on Monday afternoon that 1,368 people tested positive within 24 hours. Four patients had died and 797 recovered during this period. It recorded 898 cases on Sunday.
Monday’s record is the highest since October last year when the daily figure reached 1,600 cases. The second-highest record in 2021 was on April 19 when 1,277 cases of the virus were recorded.
Kurdistan Region has recorded a total of 196,073 cases, including 181,472 recoveries and 4,544 deaths.
This new record comes eight days before Eid al-Adha during which Muslims visit one another, making social contacts through kissing and hugging - things that should be avoided to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
Aso Hawezy, the spokesperson for Kurdistan Region’s health ministry, told Rudaw English on Monday that it is unclear whether there will be a lockdown during Eid but advised everyone to take preventative measures.
“We have to follow preventative measures,” he said, adding that the vaccination process does not mean people should ignore the measure “because vaccination is not a substitute.”
He also said that the Region is yet to reach a level where a sufficient percentage of the population is vaccinated.
Iraq has also made new records in cases in recent days. It recorded 9,149 cases of the virus and 44 deaths. This number includes the Kurdistan Region as well.
The ministry said in a statement on Monday afternoon that 1,368 people tested positive within 24 hours. Four patients had died and 797 recovered during this period. It recorded 898 cases on Sunday.
Monday’s record is the highest since October last year when the daily figure reached 1,600 cases. The second-highest record in 2021 was on April 19 when 1,277 cases of the virus were recorded.
Kurdistan Region has recorded a total of 196,073 cases, including 181,472 recoveries and 4,544 deaths.
This new record comes eight days before Eid al-Adha during which Muslims visit one another, making social contacts through kissing and hugging - things that should be avoided to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
Aso Hawezy, the spokesperson for Kurdistan Region’s health ministry, told Rudaw English on Monday that it is unclear whether there will be a lockdown during Eid but advised everyone to take preventative measures.
“We have to follow preventative measures,” he said, adding that the vaccination process does not mean people should ignore the measure “because vaccination is not a substitute.”
He also said that the Region is yet to reach a level where a sufficient percentage of the population is vaccinated.
Iraq has also made new records in cases in recent days. It recorded 9,149 cases of the virus and 44 deaths. This number includes the Kurdistan Region as well.