BAGHDAD, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Health Ministry on Friday reported 4,593 new COVID-19 cases during the day, bringing the total nationwide infections to 341,699.
A statement by the ministry reported 4,505 recoveries from COVID-19, the highest in a single day since the outbreak of the disease, raising the tally of recoveries to 273,266.
It also reported 68 more deaths, raising the death toll from the infectious virus to 8,867 in the country.
Deputy Health Minister Hazim al-Jumaili said in a press release that "the continuous rise of coronavirus infections is so serious with no significant decrease in the daily cases."
"The continuing high number of infections, despite the clear increase in recovery cases, is due to lack of compliance of the citizens with the health preventive measures," al-Jumaili said.
He said the reason for the decrease in death cases is because the ministry has devoted its expertise to dealing with patients, providing medicines, as well as increasing the number of hospital beds.
Iraq has taken a series of measures to contain the pandemic since February when the first coronavirus case appeared in the country.
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
