Turkey's COVID-19 cases surpass 152,000 as Iran's tally nudges 127,000
People's Daily
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CAIRO, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's COVID-19 cases on Wednesday exceeded 152,000 as the daily number of new infections dropped below 1,000. Meanwhile, Iran witnessed a higher surge of coronavirus cases with the tally approaching 127,000.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Turkey, the hardest-hit country in the Middle East, climbed to 152,587 after 972 new infections were reported, Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted.

The death toll from the coronavirus in the country rose to 4,222 after 23 more fatalities were added in the past 24 hours, he said.

In Iran, 2,346 new cases of the novel coronavirus were registered, bringing the tally to 126,949.

The country also reported 64 new deaths from the virus on Wednesday, raising the death toll to 7,183. A total of 98,808 coronavirus patients have recovered, with 2,673 still in critical condition.

On the same day, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that his country has got closer to the containment of the coronavirus pandemic in Iran.

"During these three months, we have been advancing step by step without a retreat. In general, we've made good progress in the face of this dangerous virus and are almost on the verge of containment," he said.

Saudi Arabia announced 2,691 new cases and 10 more deaths, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 62,545 and the death toll to 339.

The kingdom also reported 1,844 more recovered patients, taking the total recoveries to 33,478.

In Qatar, 1,491 new cases of coronavirus infections were detected, bringing the total number to 37,097, of whom 16 have died and 6,600 recovered.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced 941 new COVID-19 cases and six more deaths, raising the tally of infections to 26,004 and the death toll to 233.

Kuwait reported 804 new cases, bringing the country's total number of infections to 17,568, of whom 124 have died and 4,885 recovered.

The total number of recoveries from the virus in the UAE increased to 11,809 after 1,018 more fully recovered.

Israel reported six new COVID-19 cases, the lowest single-day rise in the country since March 7, bringing the tally of coronavirus infections to 16,665.

The deaths from the virus in Israel increased from 278 to 279 while the recoveries rose by 139 to 13,574.

It is worth noting that the number of active cases in the country dropped to 2,812, the lowest since March 26.

Earlier on the day, beaches and places of worship were reopened in Israel, under distance restrictions and hygiene measures.

Egypt's coronavirus cases continued the surging trend to reach 14,229 after a daily record of 745 new infections were added.

The Egyptian Health Ministry also reported 21 more deaths and 252 cases of recoveries, increasing the death toll to 680 and the total recoveries to 3,994.

The North African country has received three batches of medical aid from the Chinese government to help its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Morocco, the tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 7,133 after 110 new cases were added, which included 194 fatalities and 4,098 recoveries.

Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the European Union and Morocco have signed a finance agreement wroth 100 million euros (110 million U.S. dollars) to upgrade the North African country's health system.

Oman's Ministry of Health announced 372 new cases of infections, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country to 6,043, including 29 deaths and 1,661 recoveries.

Iraq confirmed 113 new coronavirus cases, taking the tally of infections to 3,724, of whom 134 have died and 2,438 recovered.

The country has received batches of medical aid from China and the support from a team of Chinese medical experts during their 50-day stay.

In Lebanon, the number of COVID-19 infections increased by seven to 961, while the death toll remained unchanged at 26.

In Jordan, a total lockdown will be imposed during Eid al-Fitr amid the unprecedented increase in the number of coronavirus cases over the past few days.

The country registered 23 more infections on Wednesday, bringing the total coronavirus cases to 672, including nine deaths and 446 recoveries.

Meanwhile, Yemen's health authorities recorded 13 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total confirmed cases in the war-ravaged Arab country to 180.

The death toll of the pandemic climbed to 29 in different areas of the government-controlled provinces, including the southern port city of Aden.

So far, the pro-government health authorities have recorded five recoveries.

In addition, health authorities in the Yemeni Houthi rebel-held capital Sanaa has declared earlier a total number of four infections in northern Yemen, including one death.