Kurdistan Region reports over 500 new COVID-19 cases, 11 deaths

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Health on Saturday reported it had recorded over 500 new coronavirus cases and eleven deaths due to the virus over the past 24 hours.

The ministry said in a statement that it had conducted 4,208 new tests across the region, with 532 returning positive: 214 in Erbil, 117 in Sulaimani, and 201 in Duhok province.

The statement also pointed out that 378 patients had recovered, and eleven had passed away. Eight of the fatalities had been in Erbil province, where the numbers of cases and deaths continue to be high.

According to official data, the total number of infections since the coronavirus outbreak in the region reached just over 24,000, including about 14,000 recoveries, and 886 deaths. Of the total, 9,357 cases remain active.

On Friday, the Ministry of Interior of the Kurdistan Regional Government issued new decisions to ease restrictions imposed to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

The Kurdistan Region’s capital city of Erbil announced that while it was easing health restrictions, it was also making specific necessary measures mandatory and legally enforceable.

Furthermore, Duhok Governor Ali Tatar said that the provincial government would facilitate entry procedures into the province by opening roads between Duhok and the rest of the areas of the region.

Tatar also indicated that places such as mosques, tourist sites, restaurants, and cafeterias could be opened, should health conditions allow it, noting that announcement on the issue would come later.

He warned that the situation is getting increasingly worse, stressing that the police would punish any person who violates health guidelines and regulations, including the wearing of masks in public places.

Editing by Khrush Najari