Politics

COVID-19: Kurdistan announces 368 new cases, urges public to follow Eid restrictions

The Kurdistan Region’s Minister of Health announced on Thursday that a record-high of 368 new daily infections of the coronavirus had been recorded as he implored the general public to adhere to restrictions put in place to stop further outbreaks during the Eid al-Adha holiday.

Mustafa Shilani 2020/07/30 23:55

kurdistan Kurdistan KRG COVID-19 Minister of Health Coronavirus Eid al-Adha

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region’s Minister of Health announced on Thursday that a record-high of 368 new daily infections of the coronavirus had been recorded as he implored the general public to adhere to restrictions put in place to stop further outbreaks during the Eid al-Adha holiday.

On Wednesday, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) issued regulations for the holiday aimed at limiting the further spread of the virus.

They included a ban on large gatherings at mosques as well as the closure of banquet halls, night clubs, sports venues, swimming pools, bars, and spas.

“Today we recorded 368 new infections with the virus, unfortunately, a high toll. We also recorded 11 deaths and 78 cases of recovery, and if we compare it with the new infections, there is a big difference, and this indicates that the infections rate is on a remarkable rise,” said regional MInister of Health Saman Barznji to reporters.

Addressing recent press coverage of a shortage of oxygen at Erbil's Rezgari Hospital, which along with other facilities has been converted to a COVID-19 dedicated treatment center, Barznji said, “Some media outlets created a kind of anxiety and despair among citizens. I want to clarify that there is no shortage, but a technical defect in the oxygen laboratory in the hospital and the delay in the arrival of oxygen from Sulaimani for two hours. This, however, did not affect the patients.”

He added that there are contingency plans in place to deal with any breakdown in the oxygen supply at any hospital.

Regarding the behavior of the public during the Eid holiday, Barznji said, “We ask citizens to adhere to health procedures because the situation is very concerning and we have on a daily basis high rate of infections and deaths.”

“Currently there are high numbers of citizens who carry the virus and have no symptoms, so we ask everyone to stay away from family gatherings, social visits, and refrain from offering condolences (of loved ones) in person,” he urged. “Most important of all, use protective masks and social distancing.”

Editing by John J. Catherine