Iraq, Kurdistan each report one new coronavirus case, totaling 67 countrywide

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iraqi authorities announced on Monday evening two new coronavirus infections, raising the number of confirmed cases nationwide to 67, and the number of deaths from the disease to seven.

The federal Health Ministry said in a statement that it had discovered two new cases in Najaf. It also reported the death of a man in Basra

Health Ministry spokesperson Saif al-Badr said that nine people had left hospitals after “completely recovering” from the virus.

Meanwhile, the Kurdistan Region Health Ministry confirmed in a statement late on Monday another coronavirus infection, raising the number of confirmed cases in the region to 14. It also noted that there had been one death from the disease while another person had recovered.

The latest case was of a 25-year-old male student who had recently returned from Iran. He had been quarantined in Sulaimani province upon his return and was tested for the virus, which came back positive.

So far, 14 provinces in Iraq have reported coronavirus cases, prompting local governments from some of them to halt public work hours to prevent the virus from spreading.

The Kurdistan Region has conducted a list of precautionary measures, including shutting down salons, beauty parlors, and bars that offer alcohol, starting on Sunday. The authorities have requested citizens and all sides to abide by the health ministry’s regulations.

The regional tourism board on Monday said it had fined or shut down 98 hotels, cafes, and other tourism destinations for failing to abide by the government’s instructions against the coronavirus epidemic.

While the coronavirus outbreak has reportedly slowed in mainland China where it first appeared, the number of cases is growing in Iran – a new epicenter for the virus – and Europe. The disease has killed over 4,000 people and has infected at least 110,000.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany