Iran's COVID-19 cases surpass 380,000; Iraq, Israel see new record in daily infections
Xinhua
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AIRO, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Iran's total number of COVID-19 cases crossed the 380,000 mark on Thursday with the addition of 1,994 new infections; Meanwhile, both Iraq and Israel set own new record in daily infections amid continuing resurgence of the pandemic.

Iran's tally of COVID-19 infections rose to 380,746, while the death toll climbed to 21,926, up by 129 in the past 24 hours, said Sima Sadat Lari, spokeswoman for Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education.

A total of 328,595 people have recovered and been discharged from hospitals while 3,702 remain in intense condition, she added.

In Iraq, the health ministry reported 4,755 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily increase since the pandemic outbreak in late February, bringing the total infections to 247,039.

It also recorded 74 deaths during the day, raising the death toll to 7,275, while 3,552 more patients recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 187,757.

Ali al-Husseini, a member of the Iraqi health crisis committee, said "coexisting with the pandemic has become a reality" and the situation can be controlled by adhering to the health preventive measures such as wearing masks and keeping social distancing.

Meanwhile, Turkey confirmed 1,642 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, the first time the single-day increase has exceeded 1,600 since May, raising the total number to 274,943, according to the Turkish health ministry.

Israel also broke another record in daily increase with 2,991 new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, as the tally of confirmed cases surged to 124,455. The death toll rose by 16 to 985, while the total recoveries increased by 1,411 to 98,645.

The Israeli government decided to impose lockdown in 30 cities and towns starting next Monday to curb the pandemic spread, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the state's COVID-19 project manager Ronni Gamzu announced on Thursday.

These are places with high morbidity rates, declared as "red" zones under a new program, which classifies all places into four colors according to morbidity level. The lockdown measures will include night curfew, traffic restrictions, limitations on shops and other businesses, and closure of all schools and kindergartens.

Saudi Arabia on Thursday announced 833 new coronavirus cases and 26 more deaths, taking the tally of infections to 318,319 and the total fatalities to 3,982.

The Saudi Health Ministry also reported 1,454 new recoveries from the disease, increasing the total recoveries in the kingdom to 293,964. The country currently has 20,373 active COVID-19 cases, of which 1,495 are in critical condition.

Morocco confirmed 1,402 new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, taking the tally in the North African country since March 2 to 66,855.

The number of recoveries in Morocco increased to 51,223 after 866 more were added, while the death toll rose by 37 to 1,253, the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

Kuwait on Thursday reported 900 new COVID-19 cases and one more death, raising the tally of infections to 87,378 and the death toll to 536.

The Kuwaiti Health Ministry also announced the recovery of 582 more patients, raising the total recoveries in the country to 78,791.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported 614 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 72,154.

At the same time, 639 more patients recovered from the virus, taking the tally of recoveries in the UAE to 62,668, the UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention said, adding the death toll remained at 387.

Lebanon's number of COVID-19 infections increased on Thursday by 588 cases to 18,963 while the death toll went up by two to 179, the Health Ministry said.

Palestine announced 596 new COVID-19 cases in the Palestinian territories, raising the total number of infections to 31,929, including 189 fatalities and 21,670 recoveries.

In Qatar, the health ministry announced 214 new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the Gulf state to 119,420.

Meanwhile, 202 more people recovered from the virus, bringing the total recoveries to 116,313, while the fatalities increased by two to 201, according to a ministry statement.

Omani Health Ministry reported 256 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total confirmed cases in the sultanate to 86,380, including 705 deaths and 81,828 recoveries.