BAGHDAD, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Health Ministry on Thursday recorded 2,184 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections nationwide to 53,708.
The ministry also confirmed 110 more deaths, raising the death toll from the infectious virus to 2,160 in the country.
It also said that 1,645 people recovered during the day, bringing the total recoveries from the disease to 27,912.
The new cases were recorded after 11,762 testing kits were used across the country during the past 24 hours, and a total of 567,685 tests have been carried out since the outbreak of the disease, according to the statement.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry said in a separate statement that it has opened 30 centers to increase the capacity of testing coronavirus in Risafa area, the eastern bank of the Tigris River which bisects Baghdad. The eastern side of the Iraq capital frequently recorded the highest numbers of infections.
"These centers are part of efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic, and we urge the citizens to conduct the tests and to follow the health instructions," the statement quoted the Health Minister Hassan al-Tamimi as saying.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, Iraq has been taking measures to contain the pandemic.
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 install an advanced CT scanner in Baghdad.
Since March 7, China has also sent three batches of medical aid to Iraq. Enditem
