COVID-19: KRG records nearly 600 new cases; Duhok reports repeat infections

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region Health Ministry on Sunday announced nearly 600 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, as Duhok province authorities reported three repeat virus infections.

The ministry mentioned in a statement that health workers had conducted 5,636 tests over the same period across the region, making for a total of 525,594 such tests carried out since the beginning of the outbreak in early March.

Out of the new tests carried out in the past 24 hours, 589 came back positive.

Adding the new figures, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the Kurdistan Region reached 55,156, including 34,880 recoveries and 1,992 deaths.

COVID19 Reinfections in Duhok

There have been three persons who have been infected with the coronavirus for a second time, Duhok’s health spokesperson told Kurdistan 24 on Sunday.

The health official did not elaborate further but reiterated warnings that if the public does not consider the health guidelines, “catastrophe” will happen.

Whether or not the virus can reinfect someone who previously had it remains under study, with mounting evidence suggesting it is the case.

The Kurdistan Region has recently witnessed new surges in coronavirus cases across its provinces, particularly in Duhok and Erbil, provinces that had both enjoyed relatively fewer infections over past months.

The region’s health minister, Saman Barzinjy, said on Saturday that the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) combatting coronavirus committee will hold a meeting with heads of local governments in the coming days to assess and review the epidemiological situation in the region.

Barzinjy's statement came during a joint press conference with Erbil governor Firsat Sofi.

The minister noted that the KRG conducts up to 6,000 daily tests and urged all citizens to wear protective masks and gloves and to follow social distancing guidelines to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Editing by Khrush Najari