Kurdistan confirms four coronavirus cases in Sulaimani

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region's Health Ministry on Sunday evening announced four confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Sulaimani Province.

The infected persons consist of a family of three and a woman, who had just returned to the Kurdistan Region from Iran, a Health Ministry statement said. The group of four has been held in quarantine on the border for medical supervision.

The Kurdistan Region health authorities at the border with Iran have tested 24 individuals suspected of having the coronavirus. Four results came back positive, the statement said, noting that all of them are under close medical attention, and their condition is stable. 

Adding to the 13 confirmed cases in other parts of Iraq, the country as a whole now has 17 persons infected with the coronavirus.

The ministry reiterated its call on the public to abide by the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) measures to prevent more infections. The Health Ministry reaffirmed that it would continue to take necessary action to prevent the spread of the virus and test people arriving in the Kurdistan Region.

Earlier on Sunday, the KRG decided to decrease working hours in public offices temporarily. This adds to other measures such as closing down kindergartens, schools, and universities until late March. Authorities are also calling for the closure of restaurants and cafes. 

Editing by Kosar Nawzad