Iraq
People shop at the Shorja market in central Baghdad ahead of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday amid the COVID-19 pandemic, on July 28, 2020. Photo: Sabah Arar/AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – On the first day of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday, Iraq saw a record number of new cases of coronavirus, despite a government-imposed lockdown.
The health ministry recorded 3,346 new cases of coronavirus as well as 1,888 and 70 deaths in the last 24 hours. This is the highest single-day jump in cases since the first patient was confirmed in late February.
The total number of cases across Iraq is now 124,609. Of these, 87,343 patients have recovered and 4,741 died. This includes figures announced by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
The Eid holiday is traditionally a time for families and friends to get together. Fearing the spread of the highly contagious virus as people kiss, hug, and shake hands during the four days of holiday, the government imposed a complete lockdown, from Thursday through to August 9. During this period, only emergency traffic will be allowed.
However, as seen in previous lockdowns, many people do not abide by the restrictions and few wear face masks and latex gloves.
The rising number of cases is a blow to the newly-established Iraqi cabinet, led by Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, as it struggles to pay its civil servants and address frequent protests over lack of basic services and electricity shortages.
The health ministry recorded 3,346 new cases of coronavirus as well as 1,888 and 70 deaths in the last 24 hours. This is the highest single-day jump in cases since the first patient was confirmed in late February.
The total number of cases across Iraq is now 124,609. Of these, 87,343 patients have recovered and 4,741 died. This includes figures announced by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
The Eid holiday is traditionally a time for families and friends to get together. Fearing the spread of the highly contagious virus as people kiss, hug, and shake hands during the four days of holiday, the government imposed a complete lockdown, from Thursday through to August 9. During this period, only emergency traffic will be allowed.
However, as seen in previous lockdowns, many people do not abide by the restrictions and few wear face masks and latex gloves.
The rising number of cases is a blow to the newly-established Iraqi cabinet, led by Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, as it struggles to pay its civil servants and address frequent protests over lack of basic services and electricity shortages.
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment