BAGHDAD, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Health Ministry on Wednesday reported 4,093 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total nationwide infections to 188,802, while a health official warned that the lockdown of districts is still an option to curb the increase of infections.
It also reported 85 fatalities during the day, raising the death toll to 6,121, while 2,529 more patients recovered in the day, bringing the total number of recoveries to 134,369.
The new cases were recorded after 20,356 testing kits were used across the country during the day, and a total of 1,345,459 tests have been carried out since the outbreak of the disease, according to the statement.
Meanwhile, Deputy Health Minister Hazim al-Jumaili said in a press release that lockdown "is still an option if we need it in some districts in the capital Baghdad."
The number of deaths has been increasing due to the soaring infections with coronavirus, al-Jumaili said.
He expressed his regret that many citizens do not abide by the restriction measures and the health instructions, which led to the increase of infections with the pandemic.
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 Iraq's capital Baghdad.
Since March 7, China has also sent three batches of medical aid to Iraq. Enditem
