KRG says 74 COVID-19 patients have recovered; total cases increase to 214, deaths still at 2

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Health Minister Saman Barznji on Saturday said that out of all those infected with the new coronavirus disease in the region, 74 people have fully recovered.

Barznji's statement came during a press conference with Interior Minister Reber Ahmed in Erbil, just a day after the Health Ministry confirmed the region's total tally of coronavirus cases had reached 214.

He said that "74 persons infected with the virus had recovered completely and returned to their home per the protocols approved by the World Health Organization [(WHO)]."

The minister also explained that the remaining 140 patients "are in a stable health condition." Barznji added, "We fear that the virus would turn into an epidemic that spreads across the whole region, to the point that quarantine and other preventive measures would no longer be effective."

In a late Friday statement, the ministry confirmed two new cases of the disease formally known as COVID-19 in the capital of Erbil. Both are women who previously interacted with infected individuals. It also pointed out that the total number of coronavirus cases in the region reached 214, including two deaths.

Related Article: KRG tightens curfew for next 48 hours as COVID-19 cases continue to climb

Late Friday, the Kurdistan Region's Interior Ministry announced a further tightening of curfew measures for the upcoming 48 hours to contain the highly-contagious disease.

A statement from the ministry explained that vehicular and pedestrian movement is completely banned. All shops and bakeries, previously open to serve local needs, are to be closed.

Editing by Kosar Nawzad