Sulaimani health dept spokesman contracts COVID-19

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The spokesperson of Sulaimani's Health Department confirmed Wednesday that he has contracted COVID-19, amid a rise in cases among health workers and officials in the province.

"The result of my test came out at 1:30am today and it turned out to be positive," Dr. Yad Naqishbandi told Rudaw by phone. "My health is good and I have quarantined myself at home."

"Even though I followed all the self-protection measures, I became infected due to my work," Naqishbandi added, calling on the public to "adhere to the self-protection measures” and to not go outside unless “very necessary."

According to the health department, Naqishbani will continue to carry out his work. However, journalists have been asked to speak to health authorities by telephone only. 

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of Health announced last week that nearly 130 health workers have contracted COVID-19 across the Kurdistan Region. One nurse has died from the virus. 

A number of health officials have already been diagnosed with the virus in Sulaimani city, including Omed Ali in charge of City Hospital, Herish Saed Salim, deputy head of Sulaimani Health Department and Sarkhel Araz, in charge of Ali Naji Center, a health facility designed for Covid-19 testing. 

Many health workers in the province have gone on strike over the KRG’s failure to pay them their monthly wages. 

Health and administrative officials in both Sulaimani and Erbil have warned that both provinces are in a “dangerous” condition, calling on people to follow health measures.

According to the latest data published by the health ministry, 3,168 cases have been confirmed in Sulaimani Province since the onset of the outbreak of the pandemic in early March. Of this number, 748 have recovered and 107 have died.

Last week, a ban on travel between Kurdistan Region provinces was extended until July 1.

The interior ministry also announced fines for people and institutions that do not follow health measures, especially the wearing of face masks in public. The fines range from 5,000 to 150,000 Iraqi dinars ($4.10- $125).