People wearing face mask walk on a street in Tehran, Iran, on July 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Ahmad Halabisaz)
--COVID-19 cases over 300,000 in Iran;
--Iraq sees unabated pandemic resurgence;
--Saudi Arabia says Hajj pilgrims free from infections;
--Tally in Turkey nears 230,000.
CAIRO, July 30 (Xinhua) -- The total number of COVID-19 cases in Iran crossed another major threshold of 300,000 on Thursday. Meanwhile, Iraq's tally of coronavirus infections surpassed 120,000 as the pandemic resurgence continued unabated in the country.
The tally of coronavirus infections in Iran, the hardest-hit country in the Middle East, climbed to 301,530 after the registration of 2,621 new cases overnight.
Iran's death toll from the deadly respiratory disease soared to 16,569 after 226 new deaths were recorded. So far, 261,200 patients have recovered and 4,041 others remain in critical condition.
In Iraq, the Health Ministry reported 2,963 new COVID-19 cases, the highest record of daily infections in the region on Thursday, bringing the total cases in the country to 121,263.
It also announced 68 new fatalities, raising the death toll to 4,671, and 2,085 new recoveries, bringing the total recoveries to 85,546.
The Iraqi Health Ministry urged the public to abide by the full curfew and avoid gatherings and unnecessary outdoor trips during the Eid al-Adha holiday that starts on Friday.
Pilgrims in the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on July 29, 2020. (Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Media)
Saudi Arabian Health Ministry announced 1,629 new coronavirus cases, increasing the total infections to 274,219.
It also said the death toll in the kingdom rose to 2,842 after 26 new fatalities were added, and the tally of recoveries increased to 231,198 with 2,629 more recoveries reported.
The ministry also said that so far Hajj pilgrims have been free from COVID-19 infections, noting that an integrated system of health facilities is available throughout the Hajj ritual sites, including the follow-up of implementing precautionary measures set.
Turkey confirmed 967 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, raising the total infections to 229,891, Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said.
Meanwhile, 15 people died from the virus in the past 24 hours, taking the death toll in Turkey to 5,674. On the same day, 982 more patients recovered, raising the total recoveries to 213,539.
In Israel, the Health Ministry confirmed 1,737 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the tally of infections to 70,036, which includes 500 deaths and 43,489 recoveries.
Passengers go through security check at the Baghdad International Airport in Baghdad July 23, 2020. (Xinhua photo)
Morocco reported 1,046 new COVID-19 cases, the biggest single-day increase so far, taking the tally of infections in the country to 23,259.
The total number of recoveries in Morocco rose to 17,511 after 186 new ones were added, while the death toll surged to 346 with 12 new fatalities.
Kuwait reported 626 new COVID-19 cases and one more death, raising the tally of infections to 66,529 and the death toll to 445.
Currently, 8,754 patients in Kuwait are receiving treatment, including 134 in intensive care units, the Kuwaiti Health Ministry said.
Algeria reported 602 new coronavirus cases, taking the tally of infections to 29,831, including 1200 deaths and 20,082 recoveries.
Palestine confirmed 380 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases since March 5 to 14,838, including 84 deaths and 6,289 recoveries.
A medical worker examines the PCR test in Beirut, Lebanon July 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced 302 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 60,223.
UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention said the death toll increased to 349 after two more deaths were confirmed, while 424 more patients recovered, taking the total recoveries in the UAE to 53,626.
In Qatar, the Health Ministry on Thursday reported 307 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total confirmed cases in the Gulf state to 110,460.
It also reported 286 more recoveries, bringing the total recoveries to 107,135, while the death toll increased by two to 171.
Lebanon's total number of COVID-19 infections increased on Thursday by 129 cases to 4,334, while the death toll went up by two to 57.
Assem Araji, head of the Lebanese Parliamentary Health Committee, said that the Lebanese cabinet needs to allocate more funds for the health sector to enable it to fight the pandemic and provide services to all patients. ■
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-07/31/c_139252857.htm