Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) health minister Saman Barzanji has warned of a "humanitarian crisis" and a "health catastrophe" amid growing number of coronavirus cases in the Kurdistan Region, reiterating his call on the public to maintain social distancing and abide by other self-protective measures.
"The number of recoveries has disproportionately decreased compared to the before Eid time period as new cases surge," health minister Saman Barzanji said.
In the two and a half months since the start of the outbreak in the Kurdistan Region until Eid al-Fitr on May 23, the Kurdistan Region had just recorded five COVID-19 deaths. The death toll has jumped to 24 cases in just two weeks.
"The situation is not under control," Barzanji said. "The KRG's resources to contain the spread of coronavirus are limited."
"We can't pin hope on ventilators, or dedicating more beds. This won't confine coronavirus - only self-protection will," Barzanji said.
"Only patients who have developed severe symptoms will be put in intensive care and hospitalised," Barzinji said, adding that those infected but in good health will be placed where "we regularly check up on their health."
Sunday's COVID-19 figures in the Kurdistan Region so far include four deaths in Sulaimani and 39 new cases in Erbil, according to the health ministry.
Of the 1,222 case total the Kurdistan Region has recorded since the beginning of the outbreak, there remain 750 active cases.
By Zhelwan Z. Wali
"The number of recoveries has disproportionately decreased compared to the before Eid time period as new cases surge," health minister Saman Barzanji said.
In the two and a half months since the start of the outbreak in the Kurdistan Region until Eid al-Fitr on May 23, the Kurdistan Region had just recorded five COVID-19 deaths. The death toll has jumped to 24 cases in just two weeks.
"The situation is not under control," Barzanji said. "The KRG's resources to contain the spread of coronavirus are limited."
"We can't pin hope on ventilators, or dedicating more beds. This won't confine coronavirus - only self-protection will," Barzanji said.
"Only patients who have developed severe symptoms will be put in intensive care and hospitalised," Barzinji said, adding that those infected but in good health will be placed where "we regularly check up on their health."
Sunday's COVID-19 figures in the Kurdistan Region so far include four deaths in Sulaimani and 39 new cases in Erbil, according to the health ministry.
Of the 1,222 case total the Kurdistan Region has recorded since the beginning of the outbreak, there remain 750 active cases.
By Zhelwan Z. Wali
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