24 doctors, nurses test positive for coronavirus in Istanbul

Dr. Kutbettin Demir, Board Chairman of Istanbul Family Practitioners Association, has said that 24 family practitioners and nurses in various districts of Istanbul tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). "A couple of our friends are receiving treatment at hospitals, while the rest are continuing their treatments at home. There is nothing to worry about in terms our friends' health conditions," Demir told daily Milliyet on March 25.

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Turkey’s coronavirus death toll rises to 44, as confirmed cases increase to 1,872Turkey’s coronavirus death toll rises to 44, as confirmed cases increase to 1,872

A total of 24 doctors and nurses were tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), Dr. Kutbettin Demir, Board Chairman of Istanbul Family Practitioners Association, has said.

Demir said that those diagnosed include family practitioners and nurses from various districts of Istanbul, adding that they are in good condition.

"A couple of our friends are receiving treatment at hospitals, while the rest are continuing their treatments at home. There is nothing to worry about in terms our friends' health conditions," Demir told daily Milliyet on March 25.

Demir said that mistakes were made as a society on dealing with the outbreak until the first week of March.

"Citizens who came from abroad applied to family practitioners to get health reports from the end of February to the beginning of March. There were doctors who got in contact with the elderly when they were waiting for their physical examinations," he said.

No health institution in US using Turkish coronavirus detection kits, doctor saysNo health institution in US using Turkish coronavirus detection kits, doctor says

"Our biggest shortcomings are overalls and googles," Demir added.

Urging people to stay at home, Demir noted that health centers are among the riskiest places during the outbreak.

"We are telling people to not come unless it's an emergency," he said.

Turkey's death toll from the coronavirus increased by seven to 44 on March 24 as the number of confirmed cases rose by 343 to 1,872, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said.