Science Board member says Covid-19 surge after Eid worrying, expects further increase

A beach in Çeşme, İzmir during the Eid holiday. (Phoot: AA)

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Amid the increase coronavirus cases after the Eid al-Adha (Sacrifice Feast) holiday between July 31 and August 3, a member of the Ministry of Health's Science Board has said that "The mask may be overwhelming people in this hot weather, surely much worse than the feeling of overwhelming it will show up when the person is sick."

After months of uncertainty, people rushed to beaches, recreation areas, weddings and other crowded places, which led to an increase in new cases, Assoc. Prof. Afşin Emre Kayıpmaz told the state-run Anadolu Agency. "As masks and distancing are forgotten in crowds, the virus has found the opportunity to spread."

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The recent surge has caused "serious worries" among healthcare workers, he said, adding that they expected the number of new cases to increase as of the weekend.

After the Sacrifice Feast, the number of daily cases increased by high 900s to 1100s.

"A much more important and effective method than restrictions is to understand the severity of the disease and to apply the measures in our daily life.

"If the employees of the markets that do not accept customers without a mask are walking around without a mask or masks on their elbows, the management of the relevant enterprises should implement the inspection and enforcement mechanisms.

"If there are people who do not care about the health of the people by using the elevator without a mask in the buildings, these people should be warned.

"If a patient who should be in quarantine is walking around on the street, there must be a serious penalty for this. Because an imprudent person endangers not only his own health but also mine and yours. Masks may be overwhelming in this hot weather, but surely, a far worse feeling will show up when the person becomes ill." (AS/VK)