Iraq confirms 1st case of coronavirus variant

BAGHDAD

Iraq on Monday confirmed the first case of the new strain of coronavirus in the country.

Speaking during a press conference in Baghdad, Health Ministry Hassan al-Tamimi warned that the new variant was highly contagious.

“The new strain can infect children,” the minister said, but without giving any further details.

Al-Tamimi renewed calls for adherence to health protocols issued by the Iraqi authorities to help stem the virus and appealed to the Iraqi security forces to support health authorities in enforcing precautionary measures against COVID-19.

Iraq has so far confirmed 643,852 cases from coronavirus, including 13,179 fatalities.

On Saturday, the Iraqi authorities imposed a night-time curfew as of Feb. 18 for two weeks and closed schools and public places, including mosques and beauty centers to stem the spread of the pandemic.

*Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara.