Iraq's daily virus tally sees surge with 322 cases

BAGHDAD Iraq on Thursday recorded 322 coronavirus cases, most of which were reported in the capital Baghdad. The country's Health Ministry said cases recorded in the last 24 hours in Baghdad included 194 in Rusafa district and 27 in Karkh neighborhood. Four deaths and 67 recoveries were registered across the country. Thursday's tally brings the total number of cases in the country to 5,457, including 179 deaths and 2,971 recoveries. On Wednesday, Baghdad Governor Mohammed Jaber al-Atta warned against "turning Baghdad into a city infested with the coronavirus," stressing that "the epidemic has spread in all areas of Baghdad and the number of infected people is increasing". He also censured the public for the lack of adherence to health measures. The pandemic has killed over 356,600 people worldwide, with more than 5.73 million confirmed cases, while recoveries surpassed 2.32 million, according to figures compiled by the US' Johns Hopkins University. * Writing by Mahmoud Barakat