Iraqi health ministry warns about rapid spread of omicron

"The increase in the percentage of positive cases has been observed on an ongoing basis, and this portends the beginning of a new wave that may be more severe than the previous waves."
Displaced persons in Iraq being taking PCR tests for COVID-19 in an IDP camp near Baghdad. (Photo: UNHCR)
Displaced persons in Iraq being taking PCR tests for COVID-19 in an IDP camp near Baghdad. (Photo: UNHCR)

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Iraqi Ministry of Health warned about the rapid spread of the new omicron coronavirus variant on Sunday and advised citizens to get vaccinated. 

In a statement published on its Facebook page, the Iraqi Ministry of Health warned about the rise in Covid-19 and omicron cases that could be the beginning of a new wave. 

Read More: Kurdistan PM 'concerned' about reports of Omicron cases in Duhok

"Experts and specialists in the Ministry of Health are monitoring the ongoing developments in the epidemiological situation in the world and Iraq, where infections continue to rise rapidly in most countries of the world, and in Iraq," the statement read.

"The increase in the percentage of positive cases has been observed on an ongoing basis, and this portends the beginning of a new wave that may be more severe than the previous waves."

The health ministry also stated that there is a low percentage of infection among those who have been vaccinated and urged those who haven't been vaccinated to do so. 

"Out of our concern for the safety and health of our beloved people, we call on all citizens to commit to wearing masks, to stay away from gatherings, and to speed up receiving vaccinations in their full doses, which have clearly proven effective," read the ministry statement.

It added that there has been a significant decrease in the number of hospital admissions among vaccinated people compared to those who remain unvaccinated. 

Read More: Kurdistan Region records first five confirmed omicron cases: Health ministry 

The ministry praised the outstanding work and sacrifices of the 'white army' (the name the ministry gives health employees and staff) in confronting the pandemic and thanked the role played by media institutions in encouraging people to get vaccinated.