Rojava records highest single-day coronavirus deaths

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Five people died due to complications from the coronavirus in the past 24 hours in northeast Syria, known to Kurds as Rojava. This is the highest single-day death toll in the region, according to the health board. 

Jwan Mustafa, head of the health board, said early Friday that two patients died in Qamishli, and one each from Shahba, Darbasiya, and Hasaka. 

Thirty more people also tested positive for the virus, she added. 

There are now a total of 508 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Rojava and 33 deaths. The vast majority of cases are in the northeastern Jazira region, bordering Turkey and the Kurdistan Region. 

Rojava has limited testing abilities so the number of cases is likely much higher. Around half the tests done are positive for the virus, according to medical NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres.

The virus is spreading as the central Hasaka region is facing a critical shortage of water. International organizations have warned of a potential disaster if the water problem is not solved and the virus is not contained.