160,000 Iraqis infected as third coronavirus wave hits Iraq

By Ali Jawad

BAGHDAD (AA) - Iraq said Thursday that more than 160,000 people have been infected with the coronavirus as the country enters a third wave.

"More than 750” patients are “being treated in the intensive care units," Faleh al-Ziyadi, a member of the Health Committee in parliament, told Iraqi official news agency.

Al-Ziyadi said young people are the most affected by the third wave.

He urged Iraqis to abide by preventive and protective measures and to get vaccinated to curb the spread.

In light of the surge in infections, Iraqis fear the collapse of the health system as it relies on old infrastructure and suffers local instability and corruption.

As of Wednesday, total infections surged to 1,518,837, including 18,020 deaths and 1,379,074 recoveries.

The number of Iraqis who have been vaccinated stands at 2,203,546.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara