Turkiye reports nearly 72,000 COVID-19 cases

By Beyza Binnur Donmez and Seda Sevencan

ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish Health Ministry reported nearly 72,000 COVID-19 cases on Thursday.

The ministry reported 71,843 new COVID-19 cases, 166 deaths, and 85,948 recoveries over the past day. Also, some 414,312 virus tests were done in the past 24 hours.

To stem the virus’ spread, the country has also administered more than 139.57 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines since it launched an immunization drive in January 2021, said new ministry figures.

More than 57.3 million people have gotten the first jab, while over 52.3 million have been fully vaccinated, the ministry added. Turkiye has also given third booster shots to nearly 24 million people.

Since December 2019, the pandemic has claimed over 5.56 million lives in at least 192 countries and regions, with more than 338.55 million cases reported worldwide, according to the US' Johns Hopkins University.