Turkey records 54,740 new coronavirus cases, highest level yet

Turkey’s “third wave” explosion of COVID-19 infections continued on April 7 as the country reported 54,740 new cases. The nationwide death toll increased by 276 to reach 32,943.

Wednesday April 07 2021 10:37 pm

People wearing protective masks stroll by the Bosporus amid the COVID-19 outbreak in Istanbul.

Duvar English

Turkey on April 7 recorded 54,740 new coronavirus cases, Health Ministry data showed, the highest daily level since the start of the pandemic.

The latest daily death toll was 276, bringing the cumulative toll to 32,943.

Last week, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced a tightening of measures, including the return of full nationwide weekend lockdowns for the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, which starts on April 13.

Experts agree that Turkey has entered a third peak of the pandemic following Ankara's relaxing of measures in early March, and the government's mismanagement of restrictions is often cited as the primary cause.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) came under fire particularly after holding both provincial congresses and a national meeting prior to the spike in cases, and Erdoğan boasted about filling up spaces "to the brim."