BAGHDAD, Feb 20 (NNN-NINA) – The Iraqi Ministry of Health reported yesterday, 4,024 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily record in 2021, bringing the total nationwide infections to 661,477.
It also reported 12 new deaths, raising the death toll to 13,232, while 1,802 cases recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 614,529.
A total of 6,470,846 tests were carried out across the country since the outbreak of the disease in Feb, 2020, with 48,990 done today.
Sayf al-Badr, spokesman of the ministry, said that, after the end of the current curfew on March 8, the ministry would recommend imposing full curfew, in case the infections continue to increase.
He said that the Higher Committee for Health and National Safety, headed by Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, will decide whether to impose the full curfew depending on the epidemiological situation.
Al-Badr also said that the new strain of the virus has greater severity and speed of transmission and affects both youths and children, adding that “the vaccines that will arrive at the end of this month and the current treatment protocol are effective.”
On Feb 13, the Iraqi health authorities decided to impose a partial curfew for four days and a full curfew for three days every week, during the period from Feb 18 to March 8.
The Iraqi National Board for Selection of Drugs has approved the emergency use of China’s Sinopharm and Britain’s AstraZeneca vaccines to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country.– NNN-NINA
