Number of coronavirus cases increases to 47 in Turkey

Duvar English

Some 29 more people have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, bringing the total in Turkey to 47, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said late on March 16.

"Today 29 more diagnoses were made. With the new diagnoses, the number of total patients became 47," Koca said on Twitter.

"All of the latest 29 cases are directly or indirectly related to the United States, the Middle East and Europe; three of them have returned from Umrah. The contact with abroad will keep being a risk. We should strictly apply the precautions," Koca said.

Bugün 29 yeni tanı kondu. Yeni tanı konanlarla birlikte toplam hasta sayımız 47 oldu. Son 29 vakanın tamamı doğrudan veya dolaylı olarak ABD, Ortadoğu ve Avrupa temaslıdır, 3’ü Umreden döndü. Yurt dışı teması risk olmaya devam edecek. Tedbirleri sıkı uygulayalım.

— Dr. Fahrettin Koca (@drfahrettinkoca) March 16, 2020

Earlier on March 16, Koca had said that Turkey has additional confirmed cases of coronavirus and the new number would be announced later in the day.

Last week, Turkey became the last major economy to report an outbreak of coronavirus. Since then, the government has ramped up measures to halt its spread. 

Authorities said on March 16 that the country is temporarily closing cafes, sports and entertainment venues and is suspending mass prayers in mosques.

Ankara also extended a flight ban to six more countries including Britian, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Egypt, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates, bringing the total number of countries to 20.

Turkey extends travel ban to six additional countries