Over 17 Thousand People in Quarantine in Turkey, Says Minister Kasapoğlu

* Photo: Abdullah Coşkun / AA - Konya

Minister of Youth and Sports Mehmet Kasapoğlu has announced that as part of measures to stem the spread of COVID-19 in Turkey, 17,506 citizens are currently in quarantine at dormitories across 76 provinces.

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), Minister Mehmet Kasapoğlu made a statement about the latest figures earlier today (May 8) and indicated that some 51,747 citizens have so far been released from quarantine after completing the mandatory 14-day period.

As part of measures taken against the pandemic in Turkey, the dormitories affiliated with the Ministry of Youth and Sports have been serving as isolation centers, especially for the citizens brought to Turkey from abroad.

Within this context, Minister Kasapoğlu has also stated that Turkey has so far repatriated its citizens from 89 countries and they are quarantined at the dormitories belonging to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

"We are proud to host not only our citizens coming from abroad, but also our heroic army's personnel, and nearly 7,000 healthcare workers who have performed an admirable work in combating the pandemic," he has noted.

The Minister has also added that books, toys and sports equipment are distributed to the ones who are quarantined at the dormitories of the ministry to prevent any possible psychological effects.

Over 130 thousand cases, 3,641 deaths in Turkey

* Image: Presidential Directorate of Communications

As of yesterday, Turkey reported a total of 133,721 COVID-19 cases, 82,984 of whom have fully recovered. The death toll stands at 3,641.

After originating in China last December, COVID-19 has spread to at least 187 countries and regions. The pandemic has claimed the lives of around 269,600 people worldwide, with total infections over 3.84 million, while more than 1.28 million patients have recovered, according to figures compiled by the US' Johns Hopkins University. (SD)