Turkey reports over 55,000 new coronavirus cases

By Ahmet Gencturk, Handan Kazanci and Seda Sevencan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey on Monday reported over 55,000 new coronavirus cases, according to Health Ministry data.

A total of 55,149 cases, including 2,862 symptomatic patients, were confirmed across the country, the data showed.

Turkey's overall case tally is over 4.32 million, while the nationwide death toll reached 36,267, with 341 more fatalities over the past day.

As many as 48,947 more patients in the country won the battle against the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to over 3.73 million.

More than 44 million coronavirus tests have been conducted in Turkey to date, with 318,869 done since Sunday.

The latest figures show that the number of COVID-19 patients in critical condition rose to 3,319.

On Jan.14, Turkey began a mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign, starting with healthcare workers along with top officials to encourage public confidence in the vaccines.

According to the Health Ministry's official figures, Turkey has so far administered over 20 million coronavirus vaccine jabs across the country.

More than 12 million people to date have received their first doses of a vaccine against the virus, while second vaccine doses were given to nearly 7.9 million.

In the face of rising cases and fatalities, starting last Wednesday, special measures are in effect in the country for the first two weeks of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The weekday curfew now lasts from 7 p.m. (moved forward from 9 p.m.) to 5 a.m., during which inter-city travel is also banned, except in emergencies. Weekend curfews will also continue in high-risk cities.

Cafes and restaurants will only provide delivery and takeout services, while wedding halls, sports centers, and game halls will remain closed until the end of Ramadan.

Since December 2019, the pandemic has claimed over 3 million lives in 192 countries and regions.

More than 141 million cases have been reported worldwide, with recoveries now nearing 81 million, according to figures compiled by the US' Johns Hopkins University.