Mersin Province 'Feels Second Wave of Covid-19 After Reopening,' Medical Chamber Head Warns

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The second wave of the coronavirus outbreak has been underway in the southern Mersin province since the government relaxed some measures on May 11, according to Mersin Medical Chamber Dr. Mehmet Antmen.

In this period, Mersin jumped from last to eighth in the provinces with most frequent Covid-19 deaths, he said in an interview with Kültürhane, a Mersin-based collective of academics who were removed from their posts during the trials over the 2018 Peace Declaration.

Shopping malls and hair salons reopened on May 11 as part of relaxing the measures. It was followed by the government resuming domestic flights, lifting intercity travel restrictions and reopening cafes and parks on June 1.

Saying that a serious second wave is being felt in the Mediterranean city, he remarked, "We are at a point where measures specific to Mersin should be taken."

"We shouldn't panic but special measures for Mersin should be reexamined. The Provincial Pandemic Committee should convene as soon as possible," he said, adding that cases should be mapped by districts and neighborhoods.

He also noted that provincial pandemic committees should act like the Health Ministry's science committee and measures to prevent the spread of the virus should be specific to provinces.

Turkey has so far recorded more than 4,600 deaths and 160,000 cases of coronavirus. (EMK/VK)