Turkey's Death Toll from Coronavirus Up by 46 to 214, Total Cases Climb to 13,531

In the last 24 hours, 2,704 more people were found to be infected, according the daily update by the Health Ministry.

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Turkey's Death Toll from Coronavirus Up by 46 to 214, Total Cases Climb to 13,531

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Turkey's death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has increased to 214 with 46 more deaths in the last 24 hours, the Health Ministy has announced.

The total cases reached 13,531 as 2,704 people have tested positive since yesterday, the ministry stated. The country carried out its highest number of tests in one day with 15,422. A total of 92,403 tests have been carred out so far.

Among the Covid-19 patients, 847 are in intensive care and 622 are intubated, while 243 patients have recovered, according to the statement.

In a tweet, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca called on people not to compromise on social isolation. "Contact equals risk," he said.

As part of measures against the pandemic, Turkey's government shut down cafes, bars, theaters and wedding and event venues and banned concerts, picnics, meetings and congresses. It also canceled all international flights, most domestic flights and imposed restrictions on intercity travels.

More recently, dozens of villages and neighborhoods in various parts of the country were quarantined.

The novel coronavirus outbreak began in China's Wuhan city in December 2019. It has now spread to at least 175 countries and territories, infecting over 800 thousand people and killing nearly 40 thousand, according to data compiled by John Hopkins University in the US. Over 170 thousand people have recovered from the disease. Italy, China, Iran, and Spain have been the most affected countries.

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About the novel coronavirus

What 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. Studies to date suggest that the virus is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air.

Source: World Health Organization

(EKN/VK)