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Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca has made a statement about the latest figures on novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak in Turkey.
Sharing a brief message on his Twitter account late in the evening today (March 20), Koca has announced that 3,656 people have been tested in the last 24 hours and 311 of them have tested positive for the virus.
Noting that the total number of Covid-19 cases has reached 670 in Turkey, Minister Koca has also announced that five more people have lost their lives due to coronavirus. The total death toll has increased to nine.
Indicating that the latest five deaths are of elderly and vulnerable patiens, Health Minister Koca has added, "We have nine losses of life till today. All of them are from the old. Let us protect our elderly. We should not show leniency for even one moment in our efforts."
Number of cases and deaths in Turkey till today
March 11: 1 case
March 13: 5 cases
March 14: 6 cases
March 15: 18 cases
March 16: 47 cases
March 17: 98 cases, 1 death
March 18: 191 cases, 2 deaths
March 19: 359 cases, 4 deaths
Private hospitals declared pandemic hospitals
In a circular letter sent to 81 provinces of Turkey, the Ministry of Health has announced that private and foundation hospitals will also admit coronavirus patients. According to the order of the Ministry, any hospital with at least two specialists in infections, pulmonology, internal diseases and clinical microbiology will serve as a coronavirus pandemic hospital.
Map: Washington University |
About the novel coronavirusWhat is a coronavirus? Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease Covid-19. What is Covid-19? Covid-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. How does Covid-19 spread? People can catch Covid-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with Covid-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch Covid-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Can the virus that causes Covid-19 be transmitted through the air? Studies to date suggest that the virus that causes Covid-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air. Source: World Health Organization |
(EKN/SD)
