Turkey overtook Iran on Saturday with the highest number of coronavirus cases after an increase of 3,783 infections in the last 24 hours.
Its total now stands at 82,329. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said 121 more people have died of COVID-19, with total deaths standing at 1,890.
“Despite an increase in tests, there’s a decrease in number of new cases,” he tweeted and urged: “Precaution, treatment.”
Nearly 600,000 people have been tested so far, according to the figures.
Koca said 1,822 patients had recovered in the past 24 hours, bringing that number to 10,453.
Also Saturday, the interior ministry extended for 15 days a ban on entering and leaving 31 provinces by land, air or sea. These provinces, including Istanbul and the capital, Ankara, are on a weekend lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
While people infected with the coronavirus often experience mild or moderate symptoms, possible complications like pneumonia can put their lives at risk.
