Turkey logs 62,606 new coronavirus cases, as worrying trend continues

The number of COVID-19 cases continues to be at alarming levels in Turkey, as the country records 62,606 new cases. Experts continue to urge the government to take more action to curb the spread of the pandemic and Turkish Medical Association (TTB) chair Prof. Şebnem Korur Fincancı warned against the collapse of the healthcare system.

Sunday April 18 2021 10:36 am

A healthcare worker holds a placard that reads: "The AKP is harmful to health!" during a demonstration for better working conditions, as the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Istanbul, Turkey April 15, 2021.

Duvar English

Turkey recorded 62,606 new coronavirus cases in the space of 24 hours, close to its highest daily tally, and 288 deaths, data from the Health Ministry showed on April 17.

Turkey currently ranks fourth globally in the number of daily cases based on a seven-day average, according to a Reuters tally.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on April 13 announced several new restrictions and a partial lockdown for the first two weeks of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan to curb the surge in cases.

Turkey's overall death from COVID-19 stands at 35,608, from 4,212,645 confirmed cases.

Experts continue to urge the government to do more to curb the spread of the pandemic, as Turkish Medical Association (TTB) chair Prof. Şebnem Korur Fincancı noted that the healthcare system is on the brink of collapse.

"Because of the inability to tackle the pandemic and the lack of precautions, the healthcare system has entered a vicious cycle," Fincancı told Voice of America, while also slamming the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) for causing healthcare workers to get exhausted and not contacting the TTB.