COVID-19: Iraq records over 3,000 new infections and 94 deaths in 24 hours

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Iraqi Ministry of Health and Environment on Monday announced more than 3 thousand new coronavirus infections and 94 deaths due to the disease over the past 24 hours.

The ministry said in a statement that it had conducted over 21,000 tests during the same period, of which 3,571 came back positive. So far, health workers have reportedly carried out about 1.3 million tests since the start of the pandemic.

According to the health ministry’s figures, the total number of infections in Iraq crossed 180,000. Of the total patients, about 129,000 have recovered, nearly 6,000 have passed away, and just over 45,000 remain ill with the virus.

The number of coronavirus cases in Iraq, as well as the Kurdistan Region, continues to surge, following an initial increase in late May, as the government relaxed lockdown measures—amid growing financial difficulties—and allowed for the resumption of trade with Iran.

Read More: COVID-19: Iraq reports record number of cases for fourth day

In the autonomous Kurdistan Region, authorities reported over 460 new infections along with 24 fatalities due to the disease. The number of deaths was a new record, set just a day prior.

The regional government has repeatedly stressed the seriousness of the situation, saying on Monday that the “non-adherence to the precautionary measures” among the people of the Kurdistan Region is the primary cause of the surge in cases.

Read More: KRG discusses economic, health situation in Kurdistan Region

Editing by Khrush Najari