A hairdresser wearing a face mask serves a customer at a salon in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 16, 2020. Iraqi Health Ministry on Tuesday reported 1,385 new coronavirus cases, setting a new record of daily increase, bringing the total number of infections to 22,700. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)
BAGHDAD, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Health Minister Hassan al-Tamimi said on Tuesday that many medical workers in Iraq have been infected with COVID-19, while a new record in the daily infections was set with 1,385 new cases registered.
"We are fighting a fierce enemy and our medical staff have been infected with the pandemic, but they are still serving the infected people at the quarantine centers," al-Tamimi said in a statement issued by the Iraqi Health Ministry.
"This is something to be proud of, as they achieved high rate of recovery recently despite the great challenge," said al-Tamimi during his meeting with the heads of Baghdad health departments.
"The battle against the coronavirus may be prolonged and we must prepare ourselves to make additional efforts," the minister added.
He also noted that Iraq is facing "great challenges ahead, including the increasing number of infections and how to achieve higher rate of recovery and protect the medical personnel, which is a top priority."
Separately, al-Tamimi said in a televised interview that "the coronavirus has become a reality and we have to deal with it on this basis. The virus may last for a year or two."
"Coexistence with the coronavirus has become realistic because its presence will last, but (we should coexist with the virus) by wearing masks and gloves, and keeping social distance," he said.
Meanwhile, Wahda al-Jumaili, a female member of the Iraqi parliament, confirmed in a tweet that she has been infected with COVID-19.
Mahasin Hamdoun, another female parliamentarian, also tested positive for the virus in Iraq's northern province of Nineveh.
On the same day, Iraqi Health Ministry reported 1,385 new coronavirus cases, setting a new record of daily increase, bringing the total number of infections to 22,700.
It also reported 60 deaths during the day, the highest single-daily rise so far, bringing the death toll in the country to 712.
Abbas al-Husseini, head of al-Zahraa Hospital in Baghdad, said that the increase in deaths is attributed to the return of many Iraqis from abroad and the fact that the virus has became more infectious and dangerous.
"There are some young men who were in good health but, after infection with the coronavirus, they may die after 24 to 48 hours," al-Husseini said.
He added that many patients went to the hospital too late, which also led to the increase of deaths.
On June 13, the Iraqi authorities decided to partially lift the nationwide curfew from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time starting from June 14, but the full curfew will continue on Thursday, Friday and Saturday every week.
Other restrictions adopted in the country include demanding wearing masks, preventing religious and social gatherings, as well as imposing fines and severe penalties on violators of the health instructions.
China has been helping Iraq fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
From March 7 to April 26, a Chinese team of seven medical experts spent 50 days in Iraq to help contain the disease, during which they helped build a PCR lab and an advanced CT scanner in Baghdad.
Since March 7, China has also sent three batches of medical aid to Iraq.
