Turkey logs 22,216 new COVID-19 cases, highest since mid-December

FILE PHOTO: Hasan Oz receives a shot of the Sinovac's CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine as nationwide vaccination began for seniors of 80 years old or older at Sancaktepe Education and Research Hospital, in Istanbul, Turkey, January 27, 2021. REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo

Turkey recorded 22,216 new coronavirus cases in a period of 24 hours, the highest daily number since mid-December, health ministry data showed on Monday, as cases continue to rise after coronavirus-control measures were eased earlier this month.

The cumulative number of cases stood at 3,035,338, data also showed, while the death toll rose by 117 to 30,178.

Daily cases have roughly doubled since the beginning of March, when Turkey eased restrictions against the pandemic.

FILE PHOTO: Healthcare workers hold carnations and pictures of their colleagues who have passed away due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during a demonstration to mark the first anniversary of the first coronavirus diagnosis in Turkey, in front of the Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu City Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey March 11, 2021. REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo

(Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Chris Reese)