Politics

Iraq warns of 'health catastrophe' after coronavirus declared a pandemic

Iraq's health ministry warned on Thursday that the embattled nation faces a potential "health catastrophe" that it said may be unavoidable if the general public does not comply with recent government measures designed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Mustafa Shilani 2020/03/12 19:07

middle east Iraq Health coronavirus

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iraq's health ministry warned on Thursday that the embattled nation faces a potential "health catastrophe" that it said may be unavoidable if the general public does not comply with recent government measures designed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The statement, which came the day after the World Health Organization (WHO) officially classified the virus a global pandemic, called on all Iraqis to strictly adhere to government orders and follow its recommendations.

"Negligence can lead to a devastating health catastrophe, as happened in some countries," it continued, warning that penalties would be handed out to those who don’t abide by regulations, primarily those that advise the public to refrain from gathering in even small crowds and to avoid non-essential travel, especially between cities.

On Thursday, the ministry confirmed six new infections of the virus, officially known as COVID-19, bringing the national total to 83, including the Kurdistan Region. Of those, eight have died while another 24 have reportedly made full recoveries.

According to the latest figures released by the WHO, the coronavirus has killed nearly 5,000 people worldwide and has infected more than 134,000 in over 100 countries.

Police in Najaf, a major destination for millions of Shia religious pilgrims annually, began restricting all entry to the province by non-residents.

Following the governor's decision that was announced on Monday, prominent Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani urged people to avoid taking part in mass prayers to mitigate the spread of the virus.

“These gatherings are banned to limit the spread of coronavirus, it must be heard and taken seriously,” Sistani said in a statement.

Both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region have also blocked passenger travel along its border crossing with Iran, where nearly all known cases of the coronavirus in Iraq are thought to have originated.

On Thursday, Kurdistan Region Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed warned that any official in the autonomous region who fails to implement recent government measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus would face penalties.

“A number of cases were recorded in Sulaimani and Erbil and we wish them a speedy recovery,” Ahmed said, adding to the barrage of updates and recommendations that residents of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region have become familiar with in recent weeks.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has suspended all flights between airports in Erbil and Sulaimani and those in Baghdad and Basra, exempting diplomats, UN workers, official delegations, and coalition service members.

Editing by John J. Catherine