Iraq’s Health Ministry has warned of “dire consequences” ahead because citizens are not heeding coronavirus prevention measures, after the country reached a new high in daily infection rates. Iraq recorded 8,331 new virus cases within a 24-hour period on Wednesday, the highest figure since the ministry began keeping records at the onset of the pandemic last year. The statement said public commitment toward heeding virus prevention measures was “almost non-existent in most regions of Iraq,” where citizens rarely wear face masks and continue to hold large gatherings. Those who continue to flout prevention measures and instructions “are responsible for the increase in the number of infections,” the statement said. The ministry urged citizens to inoculate, and said vaccination was the only way to control the outbreak.

Source: Egypt Independent April 09, 2021 08:37 UTC