COVID-19 deaths in Kurdistan Region surpass 1,000

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Coronavirus-related fatalities in the Kurdistan Region surpassed 1,000 on Friday, according to a statement from the regional health ministry, which also announced over 450 new cases.

The ministry said in a statement that it had conducted 4,617 new tests across the region, with 458 returning positive: 208 in Erbil, 93 in Sulaimani, 119 in Duhok province, and 15 cases in Halabja.

There were also 26 deaths in the past 24 hours, raising the total tally to 1007, the ministry reported.

According to official data, the total number of infections across the region has reached just over 27,000. Of the total, about 17,000 patients have recovered, and nearly 9,500 cases remain active.

Among the four provinces of the Kurdistan Region, the Erbil and Sulaimani provinces each have recorded over 11,000 infections since the virus first entered the region.

Surge in COVID-19 Cases

Erbil province, which records an average of 200 cases each day, recently eased restrictions it previously had put in place to curb the spread of the disease. Restaurants and markets are fully open to customers. Sites of worship have reopened. Traffic among the provinces of the Kurdistan Region and between the other Iraqi cities have resumed.

Health authorities have repeatedly warned against quickly lifting restrictions. But the crippling economy of the region – due to falling oil prices and political stalemate with Iraq’s central government – pressured the government to ease lockdown measures, amid public calls for such a move.

Government officials have also said that lack of adherence to health guidelines by citizens is another reason behind spiking figures in Kurdistan Region.

The increasing rate of cases comes as the region braces for a potentially stronger wave of the virus in the upcoming fall and winter seasons, according to the region’s health minister.

Editing by Khrush Najari