Iraq braced for a possible second wave as daily coronavirus cases exceeded 1,000 for the first time in weeks.
Strict measures could be imposed nationwide, officials said.
New infections peaked in late September when the country registered 5,025 cases in a single day.
The highest number of daily deaths was recorded in late June at 122, according to the Health Ministry figures.
Iraq's infection rate had dropped to around 600 cases a day in early January, and less than 10 deaths per day.
But figures started to rise again over the past two weeks.
On Tuesday, the health ministry reported 1,135 new cases with 11 deaths. That brought the total number of confirmed cases since the outbreak to 621,755 and deaths to 13,068.
The latest increase could be a prelude “for a second wave for the pandemic that could be even worse,” the ministry said.
Many citizens were not complying with social distancing policies, the ministry said.
It said the situation could force authorities to adopt “more strict decisions and measures such as partial lockdown and close down public places that attract gatherings.”
The ministry also called on Iraqis to adhere to the recommendations and practice social distancing, wear masks, frequently wash your hands and to immediately stop social events, hugging, hand shaking and kissing.
Unlike many countries in the region, Iraq has yet to receive any vaccine.
On Monday, the country’s Health Minister Hassan Al Tamimi said between 2.5 million-3 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines would be received through the Covax scheme by the end of this month.
Shortly after the pandemic outbreak early last year, Iraq joined the Covax scheme to secure enough doses for 20 per cent of its population of about 40 million people.
Mr Al Tamimi said more doses would follow. There was no mention of the vaccine manufacturer.
Members of the security forces, health workers, elderly people, those with chronic diseases and employees of media outlets would be given priority, he added.
Iraq ordered 1.5 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in December.
-
Healthcare workers wearing masks cross the street in central Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa/The National -
Cleaners are always present around Al Fay Park on Reem Island. Victor Besa/The National -
A picture taken with a drone shows the roads almost empty during the nationwide lockdown in Jal El Dib area north Beirut, Lebanon. Lebanon on 07 January began a complete 25-day closure nationwide, which was extended by the Supreme Defense Council until 08 February, to curb the spread of the coronavirus EPA -
A picture taken with a drone shows the roads almost empty during the nationwide lockdown in Dora area north Beirut, Lebanon. Lebanon on 07 January began a complete 25-day closure nationwide, which was extended by the Supreme Defense Council until 08 February, to curb the spread of the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus. EPA -
Palestinians walk in the streets after the authorities eased restrictions put in place to stop the spread of the COVID-19, amid a coronavirus lockdown in Gaza City. The Ministry of Interior in Gaza City announced on 05 December 2020 full lockdown on Fridays and Saturdays until further notice to curb the spread of COVID-19. EPA -
Palestinians walk in the streets after the authorities eased restrictions put in place to stop the spread of the COVID-19, amid a coronavirus lockdown in Gaza City. The Ministry of Interior in Gaza City announced on 05 December 2020 full lockdown on Fridays and Saturdays until further notice to curb the spread of COVID-19. EPA -
Palestinians walk in the streets after the authorities eased restrictions put in place to stop the spread of the COVID-19, amid a coronavirus lockdown in Gaza City. EPA -
People ski amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the western mountain resort of Uludag in Bursa, Turkey. Reuters -
Jordanian teenager, Omar, 14, fixes a kerosene heater in a workshop where he works in Amman. Many minors have been forced prematurely into the labour market in Jordan due to the Covid-19 pandemic, experts say. Schools in Amman and throughout the country have been closed for nearly a year now, while economic fallout from the pandemic has eaten into breadwinners' ability to feed their families. AFP -
A Jordanian youth uses a hand cart to work in Amman's Wahdat district. Many minors have been forced prematurely into the labour market in Jordan due to the Covid-19 pandemic, experts say. Schools in Amman and throughout the country have been closed for nearly a year now, while economic fallout from the pandemic has eaten into breadwinners' ability to feed their families. AFP -
Armoured military vehicles patrol in Morocco's western city of Casablanca, amid restrictions and a health state of emergency imposed by the authorities in a bid to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. AFP -
Armoured military vehicles patrol in Morocco's western city of Casablanca, amid restrictions and a health state of emergency imposed by the authorities in a bid to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. AFP
