Kurdistan records 1,308 new coronavirus cases, highest single day tally
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Kurdistan Region on Thursday saw the highest daily record of coronavirus cases since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early March, the health ministery announced.
"It is very unfortunate to see cases of COVID-19 rapidly go up and I regret to announce that, out of 6,451 tests conducted at the labs, 1,308 cases turned out positive," Saman Barzinji said at a press conference in Erbil.
In the past 24 hours, his ministry also recorded 17 deaths and 246 recoveries.
The new data brings the total number of cases in the Region to 66,131. Of this number, 38,807 have recovered and 2, 243 have died.
"If the situation continues as such, it will get worse and worse," Barzanji said.
In a government meeting on Wednesday, the prime minister said protection measures must be tightened in public places, he added. “In the end, the people must help and wear masks, because we should suspect any person we interact with could be contagious.”
The Kurdistan Region implemented several lockdowns in the spring, but lifted most of the restrictions at the beginning of summer amid a worsening economic crisis. Government officials have said that a new lockdown is not likely for economic reasons.
Updated at 2:46 pm
"It is very unfortunate to see cases of COVID-19 rapidly go up and I regret to announce that, out of 6,451 tests conducted at the labs, 1,308 cases turned out positive," Saman Barzinji said at a press conference in Erbil.
In the past 24 hours, his ministry also recorded 17 deaths and 246 recoveries.
The new data brings the total number of cases in the Region to 66,131. Of this number, 38,807 have recovered and 2, 243 have died.
"If the situation continues as such, it will get worse and worse," Barzanji said.
In a government meeting on Wednesday, the prime minister said protection measures must be tightened in public places, he added. “In the end, the people must help and wear masks, because we should suspect any person we interact with could be contagious.”
The Kurdistan Region implemented several lockdowns in the spring, but lifted most of the restrictions at the beginning of summer amid a worsening economic crisis. Government officials have said that a new lockdown is not likely for economic reasons.