ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Sixteen coronavirus patients have died in the Kurdistan Region and 166 other people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours, according to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Ministry of Health.
10 deaths were recorded in Sulaimani province, five in Erbil and one in Raparin. This is the highest number of deaths in a single day since the outbreak began in March.
Eighty-nine new cases COVID-19 have been recorded in Sulaimani province, 35 in the independent administration of Garmiyan, 29 in Erbil province, 12 in Halabja province and one in Duhok province. Nineteen people have also recovered, added the ministry.
The new data brings the total number of cases in the Region to 2,821. Of this, 1,123 have recovered and 75 have died. There are currently 1,623 active cases.
This surge in the death toll comes as many health workers in Sulaimani province, the epicenter of the virus, have gone on strike over the KRG’s failure to pay their salaries.
Health and administrative officials in both Sulaimani and Erbil have warned that both provinces are in a “dangerous” condition, calling on people to follow health measures.
A ban on travel between Kurdistan Region provinces has been extended until July 1, the interior ministry announced Monday night, as the coronavirus outbreak continues to make a stubborn resurgence.
The interior ministry also announced fines for people and institutions that do not follow health measures, especially the wearing of face masks in public. The fines range from 5,000 to 150,000 Iraqi dinar ($4.10-125).
