CAIRO, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The total number of COVID-19 cases in Iran surged past 390,000 on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the tally of infections in Iraq approached 270,000 as the pandemic's resurgence continued in the country.
Sima Sadat Lari, spokeswoman for the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, announced 2,302 new infections, pushing the tally of COVID-19 cases in Iran to 391,112, as the death toll rose by 132 to 22,542.
Iran, the hardest-hit country in the Middle East, has registered a total of 337,414 recoveries from the virus so far, while 3,713 patients remain in critical condition, Lari said.
In Iraq, the health ministry reported 4,894 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total nationwide infections to 269,578, while the death soared to 7,657 with 68 new deaths confirmed.
The ministry also reported 3,465 more recoveries in the day, bringing the total recoveries to 206,324. The ministry's spokesman Sayf al-Badr said that 90 percent of the infections in Iraq are in mild-to-moderate conditions, as the recovery rate is more than 76 percent.
Turkey on Tuesday announced further measures to curb the pandemic's spread as the tally of COVID-19 cases surged by 1,761 to to 283,270 and the death toll climbed to 6,782 with the addition of 52 new fatalities.
Turkish Interior Ministry mandated wearing masks in all public areas, while banning broadcasting music at restaurants, cafes, all food and beverage and entertainment venues after midnight.
Saudi Arabia reported 781 new COVID-19 cases and 30 more deaths, raising the tally of infections in the kingdom to 322,237 and the death toll to 4,137.
The total recoveries rose to 298,246 after 623 more patients recovered, the Saudi Health Ministry said, adding that there are currently 19,854 active cases, including 1,428 in critical condition.
Israel on Tuesday reported 3,590 new COVID-19 cases and 14 more fatalities, taking the tally of infections to 137,565 and death toll to 1,040. The total recoveries rose to 107,003 with the addition of 1,548 recoveries.
The Israeli government announced a seven-day lockdown on 40 cities and communities starting on Tuesday evening to battle a resurgence in coronavirus infections.
The communities involved are the mostly Arab and ultra-Orthodox ones hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak, including nine large Jewish and Palestinian neighborhoods in Jerusalem, the settlements of Beitar Illit and Emanuel, and the Arab cities of Umm al-Fahm and Nazareth in northern Israel.
In Morocco, 1,941 new COVID-19 cases were reported, taking the total number of infections in the country to 75,721, which includes 1,427 deaths and 57,239 recoveries.
Morocco has been witnessing a rapid spike in daily coronavirus infections recently, mainly in Casablanca and Marrakech. Moroccan Health Minister Khalid Ait Taleb announced on Tuesday the mobilization of more medics and logistical support to Casablanca.
Kuwait on Tuesday reported 857 new COVID-19 cases and two more deaths, raising the tally of infections to 91,244 and the death toll to 548, the Kuwaiti Health Ministry said.
The ministry also announced the recovery of 617 more patients, raising the total recoveries in the country to 81,654.
The United Arab Emirates announced 644 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 75,098, including 391 deaths and 66,943 recoveries.
Palestine recorded 717 new coronavirus cases, raising the total number of infections in Palestinian territories to 35,518, including 215 deaths and 24,226 recoveries.
Lebanon's total number of COVID-19 cases increased by 498 to 21,324 on Tuesday, while the death toll from the virus went up by seven to 207.
Lebanese Interior Ministry said in a statement that Casino Du Liban, pubs, amusement centers and theaters are allowed to reopen on condition that people working or visiting these places wear masks and observe social distancing rules. The ministry also allowed wedding venues to reopen with only 50 percent capacity, while beaches will remain closed in the coming period.
Qatar reported 231 new coronavirus infections, taking the total confirmed COVID-19 cases to 120,579, including 205 deaths and 117,497 recoveries.
Omani Health Ministry confirmed 262 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total cases in the Sultanate to 87,590. The tally of recoveries rose to 82,973 with 168 new recoveries, while the death toll rose by eight to 742.
Jordan reported 103 new coronavirus infections, the record daily spike in the country, raising the total COVID-19 cases to 2,581, including 19 deaths. Enditem
