‘We have mistaken normalization for the old normal, cases have increased’

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Internist and hematologist Prof. Mustafa Çetiner has commented on the increasing number of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Turkey amid further normalization steps taken in the country since June 1.

"We have mistaken normalization for the old normal and the number of cases has tended to increase," Prof. Çetiner has warned on social media. "Let me remind you again: The risk of transmission of ill people and the ones who do not have the symptoms is the same," he has added.

According to Prof. Çetiner, those who carry the virus without showing the symptoms of the disease account for around 40 percent of all COVID-19 cases. "This rate is 80 percent, according to some," he has noted.

Prof. Çetiner has also said that "herd immunity is 7 percent (Sweden) in the best case scenario and the possibility of you having recovered from the disease without noticing it is not even 10 percent."

'We can normalize with masks, distance'

Referring to the measures taken in workplaces and other public places, such as taking body temperature before and after entry, Prof. Çetiner has underlined that only 30 percent of 5,700 coronavirus patients in New York had fever. "Measuring of body temperature in shopping malls and other crowded places will not protect you," he has warned.

Prof. Çetiner has concluded his remarks as follows: "The super transmitters of COVID-19 are responsible for the majority of cases. You cannot know who are super transmitters and who are not. Everyone that we come across needs to be considered COVID-19 positive. We can normalize with mask, distance and washing of hands."

Statement by Ankara Medical Chamber

The Ankara Medical Chamber also released a statement regarding the increasing number of cases in Turkey amid reopening.

Referring to the statements of Health Minister Fahrettin Koca, who said that there was an increase in the number of cases in Eastern, Southeastern and Central Anatolia, but a decrease in the capital city of Ankara, the Ankara Medical Chamber has announced that it has observed a marked increase in the number of cases in the city as far as they have been informed.

"While it is indicated by public authorities that there has been a decrease in the number of new cases in Ankara in particular, the information that we have recently obtained from our colleagues and activists indicates that Ankara has witnessed a marked increase in the number of people who apply to COVID-10 polyclinics as well as the number of inpatients," the Chamber has noted.

According to the chamber, in one hospital in Ankara, there has been a serious increase in the rate of health workers tested positive for COVID-19.

Referring to the allegations circulating on social media that a vast number of workers working in a large factory have also tested positive for the virus, the chamber has called on the authorities to share transparent data with the public so that such news will not cause anxiety among people.

Statement by 27 organizations in Diyarbakır

Shortly after it was reported that there Turkey's southeastern province of Diyarbakır has also experienced a surge in the number of cases as of June 1, 27 non-governmental organizations, including Diyarbakır Medical Chamber, Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Diyarbakır Bar Association have released a joint statement:

Underlining that the risk posed by the outbreak is not yet over, the statement has underlined that "there has been no data suggesting that the outbreak has been taken under control."

The organizations have indicated, "Despite all precautions that have been taken in our province, there has been an extraordinary increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the recent period. As the pace of increase stands, it might lead to undesired consequences and cause the healthcare infrastructure of the city to have difficulties."

Urfa Governor: Number of cases has increased

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) on Friday (June 12), Governor of Urfa Abdullah Erin has also announced that the number of cases has also increased in the southeastern Urfa province.

According to Erin, there was "no serious risk in Şanlıurfa till the beginning of June thanks to the isolation measures."

"However, we have to announce with sorrow that as of the beginning of June, the number of our cases and fatalities has started to increase," Governor Erin has said and made a call to the citizens to not leave their homes unless absolutely necessary.

"I would like to underline that the risk is higher for Şanlıurfa than it was 10 days ago," he has warned citizens further. (RT/EKN/AS/SD)