COVID-19 Cases Nearly Double in Turkey in One Day... Total 359 Confirmed, 4 Deaths

Fahrettin Koca, Minister of Health of Turkey

[AP=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Turkey nearly doubled in one day.

On the 20th (local time), the Turkish Ministry of Health announced that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Turkey increased by 168 from the previous day, reaching a total of 359.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca stated, "We conducted 1,981 COVID-19 tests within 24 hours, and 168 tested positive."

He added, "Unfortunately, one 85-year-old patient died from COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths to four." The first death in Turkey was reported on the 18th of this month, when an 89-year-old man passed away due to COVID-19.

The Turkish government has suspended flights from 20 countries, including China, Iran, Italy, and Korea, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, measures were taken to halt operations of cafes, cinemas, and gyms.

Furthermore, nationwide closures were ordered for elementary, middle, and high schools as well as universities, and the Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) decided to suspend collective prayers held at mosques (Islamic places of worship).

Sports federations for football, basketball, and volleyball also decided the previous day to suspend league schedules to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.