Turkey's coronavirus death toll up seven to 44, with 343 new cases
Turkey's death toll from the coronavirus increased by seven to 44 on Tuesday as the number of confirmed cases rose by 343 to 1,872, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said. He said on Twitter that 3,952 tests had been conducted in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of tests carried out in Turkey to around 28,000.
- Türkiye
- Agencies and A News
- Published Date: 11:02 | 24 March 2020
- Modified Date: 11:03 | 24 March 2020
Turkey confirmed seven more deaths from coronavirus on late Tuesday, bringing the total number of fatalities to 44.
A total of 3,952 coronavirus tests have been conducted in the last 24 hours on people suspected of contracting the virus, and 343 tested positive, bringing the tally of infections to 1,872, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Twitter.
"How many people [contracted the virus]? In 195 countries, this question is asked every day. Although we have losses, it is not late for Turkey," he said, stressing that one of the patients was suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and the other fatalities were elderly.
While most victims of the virus worldwide have been the elderly, health officials fear they may have contracted it from the young carriers who may be asymptomatic.
After emerging in Wuhan, China last December, coronavirus has spread to at least 169 countries and regions, according to data compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.
Out of more than 409,000 confirmed cases, the death toll now exceeds 18,200, while nearly 106,500 have recovered.
Italy, China, Iran, and Spain continue to be the most affected countries.
Despite the rising number of cases, a vast majority of those infected by the virus suffer mild symptoms and recover.