A female medic works for COVID-19 testing in a Chinese-built lab in Baghdad, Iraq on July 29, 2020. (Xinhua photo)
--China, Syria discuss more cooperation against COVID-19;
--Turkey's COVID-19 cases exceed 250,000;
--Iraq sees infections over 180,000;
--Confirmed cases in Saudi Arabia total 299,914.
CAIRO, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Officials from China and Syria discussed Monday about more cooperation against COVID-19 as several countries in the Middle East saw tally of infections crossed major marks.
Chinese Ambassador to Syria Feng Biao discussed with Syrian Health Minister Nizar Yazigi ways to enhance cooperation on the health sector between the two countries, particularly regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yazigi, meanwhile, hailed the Chinese support to the Syrian people on all levels, particularly the health sector, to mitigate the country's difficulties caused by the economic siege and war.
China has offered help to Syria to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 15, China delivered the first batch of medical aid, including 2,016 COVID-19 testing kits, to Syria. On June 4 and June 24, Syria received another two batches of medical supplies donated by China, including testing kits, protective suits, masks, goggles, and infrared thermometers.
People wearing mask are seen in Rabat, Morocco, on Aug. 8, 2020. (Xinhua/Chadi)
Also on Monday, Turkey reported 1,233 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total diagnosed cases to 250,542.
Meanwhile, 22 people died in the past 24 hours, taking the death toll to 5,996, and 1,002 patients recovered in the last 24 hours, raising the total recoveries to 231,971 in Turkey since the outbreak.
The Iraqi Health Ministry reported 3,202 new COVID-19 cases, while the total nationwide infections climbed to 180,133.
It also reported 94 fatalities during the day, raising the death toll from the virus to 5,954, while 3,571 more patients recovered in the day, bringing the total number of recoveries to 128,945.
The Iraqi Health Minister Hassan Al-Tamimi said in a statement that the ministry decided to establish a center dedicated to those infected with coronavirus in an attempt to improve the efforts to confront the coronavirus pandemic.
Saudi Health Ministry announced Monday 1,372 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number to 299,914.
It said 28 more deaths and 1,432 recovered cases from the virus were confirmed, pushing the death toll to 3,436 and recoveries to 268,385.
A medical worker carries out COVID-19 test for a sport player at a medical center in Capital Governorate, Kuwait, Aug. 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Ghazy Qaffaf)
Iran, the worst-hit country in the Middle East, reported 2,247 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, raising the total number in the country to 345,450.
Since Sunday, 165 people have died from the viral disease, taking the total fatalities over the virus to 19,804 in the country.
So far, 299,157 patients have recovered and 3,773 remain in critical condition in ICU.
Kuwaiti health ministry on Monday reported 622 new COVID-19 cases and one more death, raising the tally of infections to 76,827 and the death toll to 502.
Currently, 7,692 patients are receiving treatment, including 109 in ICU. The ministry also announced the recovery of 498 more patients, raising the total recoveries in the country to 68,633.
People wearing face masks are seen in a metro cabin at the newly-opened Adly Mansour Metro Station in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 16, 2020. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced 229 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 64,541.
And 100 more patients have recovered from the virus, taking the tally of recoveries in the UAE to 57,794. The nationwide death toll stands at 364.
The Qatari health ministry announced 288 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the Gulf state to 115,368.
Meanwhile, 294 more recovered from the virus, bringing the total recoveries to 112,088, while the death toll remained 193.
The National Center for Disease Control of Libya on Monday reported 434 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 8,172.
The center said 39 more patients have recovered and eight died from the virus, raising the total recoveries in Libya to 933 and the death toll to 153. ■
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-08/18/c_139297820.htm