BAGHDAD, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Health Ministry on Saturday reported 4,270 new COVID-19 infections during the day, bringing the total nationwide infections to 345,969.
The ministry also confirmed 68 new fatalities from the infectious disease, taking the death toll to 8,935, while 3,652 more patients recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 276,918.
The ministry has carried out a total of 2,180,316 COVID-19 tests across the country since the outbreak, with 17,769 done in the day.
Meanwhile, Iraqi Health Minister Hassan al-Tamimi said in a press conference in the city of Najaf that "the ministry is facing great challenges, including the Arbaeen ritual for Shiite Muslims, and the ministry has taken measures in cooperation with the health departments (of the provinces) to provide health teams, ambulances, and laboratories."
"We recommend the pilgrims that there is no alternative for wearing masks to prevent the spread of the pandemic," al-Tamimi said.
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
