ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Health is warning of the severity of the current spike in coronavirus infections as it records the highest daily number of cases since the start of the pandemic. Iraq has also recorded its highest count yet. The region has recorded 1,985 coronavirus cases, “the highest rate since the start of the pandemic,” Minister of Health Saman Barzinji said at a press conference on Monday. “This wave is serious, and this new variant spreads fast and it affects all the ages,” Barzinji added. The record comes a day before the Eid al-Adha during which Muslims customarily visit one another, often greeting with hugs, kisses, and handshakes. No lockdown will be imposed during the holiday. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of Interior on Monday closed down wedding halls and cinemas across all cities and towns again. Tourists visiting from Iraqi provinces are required to conduct a PCR test at least 72 hours before their arrival and present it at the checkpoints. It also urged all government employees to get vaccinated, otherwise “administrative procedures will be taken against them.” Barzinji urged the people to stay home, adhere to safety measurements, wear masks and practice social distance. He also urged imams at mosques and media outlets to encourage people to comply with the rules. The safety measurements “are the only way to stay protected from this wave,” consultant physician Omer Surchi said at the conference. The Kurdistan Region is seeing a third wave of the virus, recording over a thousand cases daily in the past few days. If “we don’t reduce direct contact, a disaster is imminent,” spokesperson for health ministry Aso Hawezy said on Sunday. The first case of the highly-contagious Delta variant was detected in the region on Thursday. It is expected to become the dominant strain worldwide in the coming months. Iraq has also reached record-high virus numbers in recent days. It recorded 9,883 new cases in the past 24 hours. The number includes the Kurdistan Region.
