Iraq records 45 more virus-linked deaths

Iraq confirmed 45 new fatalities from the novel coronavirus Thursday, bringing the death toll to 8,799.

The Health Ministry said 4,471 additional COVID-19 cases raised the tally to 337,106, while the number of recoveries reached 268,761.

The pandemic has claimed more than 979,300 lives in 188 countries and regions since originating in China last December. The US, Brazil, Russia and India are currently the worst-hit countries.

More than 32.03 million cases have been reported worldwide, while greater than 22.02 million patients have recovered, according to figures compiled by US-based Johns Hopkins University.