Number of coronavirus cases in Turkey can reach 30,000 if people are not careful, ministerial council member warns

Duvar English

The number of coronavirus cases in Turkey can reach 30,000 if people don't adopt necessary measures, a member of Turkish Health Ministry's Science Council has said, as the number of the cases exceeded 45 on March 17.

"We expect the number of cases to reach nearly 5,000 in the next three to four weeks if precautions are adopted. If not, then the number can reach 30,000," Prof. Alpay Azap told broadcaster Habertürk, adding that people need to act in accordance with the warnings.

Turkish authorities have been emphasizing several precautions against the virus, also known as COVID-19, including staying home for 14 days upon returning from trips abroad, washing hands and avoiding public spaces.

11 Turkish lawmakers in self-imposed quarantine amid coronavirus fears

In line with these precautions, Turkey shut schools and universities and ordered the closure of bars, night clubs, cafes, sports and entertainment venues.

The country's top religious authority also suspended congregational prayers in mosques.

Another member of the Science Council, Prof. Ateş Kara, said that the schools may remain closed longer than planned.

What can Turkey learn from South Korea's fight against coronavirus?

Kara also said that Turkey may become one of the most successful countries to defeat the coronavirus outbreak if measures are followed in the next one and a half to two months.

Saying that the cases in Turkey are linked to traveling abroad, Kara noted that further measures can be adopted if the virus starts to circulate within the country.