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| Iraqi authorities set up a 525-bed field hospital at the Baghdad International Fair exhibition centre as the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise. |
WHO official says people who cross
between Iraq and Iran, the Covid-19 pandemic’s regional epicenter, may have
contributed to the spike.
between Iraq and Iran, the Covid-19 pandemic’s regional epicenter, may have
contributed to the spike.
According to health officials,
easement of cross-border restrictions between Iraq and Iran may have
contributed to the spike of coronavirus cases seen across Iraq.
easement of cross-border restrictions between Iraq and Iran may have
contributed to the spike of coronavirus cases seen across Iraq.
Panic and unrest have spread throughout
Iraq as health authorities seek to contain Covid-19 ‘s spread, with over 53,000
cases and more than 2,000 deaths from the highly contagious respiratory
disease.
Iraq as health authorities seek to contain Covid-19 ‘s spread, with over 53,000
cases and more than 2,000 deaths from the highly contagious respiratory
disease.
“Through our assessment, we
discovered that border control was not strictly administered and that certain
foot movements were observed in the eastern governorates between Iran and
Iraq,” said Wael Hatahit, emergency coordinator for the operations of the
World Health Organization in Iraq.
discovered that border control was not strictly administered and that certain
foot movements were observed in the eastern governorates between Iran and
Iraq,” said Wael Hatahit, emergency coordinator for the operations of the
World Health Organization in Iraq.
This “may have contributed to the
spike that we are seeing”, Mr Hatahit said during an online forum organised by
AMAR, a charity that operates across the Middle East.
spike that we are seeing”, Mr Hatahit said during an online forum organised by
AMAR, a charity that operates across the Middle East.
Iran is the epicentre of the
coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East, with more than 230,000 cases and
11,000 deaths.
coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East, with more than 230,000 cases and
11,000 deaths.
Iraq closed its borders with Iran on 8
March, and Iraqis living in Iran were barred from returning home a week later.
March, and Iraqis living in Iran were barred from returning home a week later.
Iran’s leaders have pressured Baghdad
to reopen the border as Iraq is a major market for agricultural products, dairy
and building materials from Iran.
to reopen the border as Iraq is a major market for agricultural products, dairy
and building materials from Iran.
Iraq reopened the Mehran border
crossing in early June, which is one of the most important for both countries
due to its proximity to Iraqi cities which host major Shiite shrines. According
to the Iranian news agency Mehr, nearly 600,000 pilgrims pass through the
crossing annually.
crossing in early June, which is one of the most important for both countries
due to its proximity to Iraqi cities which host major Shiite shrines. According
to the Iranian news agency Mehr, nearly 600,000 pilgrims pass through the
crossing annually.
“After a successful social
distance campaign in March, we witnessed a decrease in coronavirus numbers and
a relaxation of people. Usually, when you get that sense of relaxation, people
tend to socialize more and pay less attention to wearing masks, and that’s
where it all started, “said Mr. Hatahit.
distance campaign in March, we witnessed a decrease in coronavirus numbers and
a relaxation of people. Usually, when you get that sense of relaxation, people
tend to socialize more and pay less attention to wearing masks, and that’s
where it all started, “said Mr. Hatahit.
Iraqi officials have repeatedly warned
that the health system is on the verge of collapse, with hospitals overwhelmed
by numbers of patients and running low in medical supplies, including oxygen
cylindres.
that the health system is on the verge of collapse, with hospitals overwhelmed
by numbers of patients and running low in medical supplies, including oxygen
cylindres.
Iraq has been recording ever higher
numbers of coronavirus infections and deaths since mid-May.
numbers of coronavirus infections and deaths since mid-May.
“We are talking about more than 2,000
cases a day. The health system is hardly coping with Covid-19 patients – we
need quick, robust intervention and adaptations to the situation,” Mr Hatahit
said.
cases a day. The health system is hardly coping with Covid-19 patients – we
need quick, robust intervention and adaptations to the situation,” Mr Hatahit
said.
The WHO official said the government
should have had plans in place before the rise in cases.
should have had plans in place before the rise in cases.
Abdul Aziz Shwan Ahmed, former chief
of staff to Iraqi deputy prime minister, said the government was aware of the
seriousness of the situation and was doing its best to find a quick solution.
of staff to Iraqi deputy prime minister, said the government was aware of the
seriousness of the situation and was doing its best to find a quick solution.
“Iraq has to respond immediately and
engage with the international community to control its spread as the Covid-19
crisis cannot wait,” Mr Ahmed said.
engage with the international community to control its spread as the Covid-19
crisis cannot wait,” Mr Ahmed said.
He said Iraq did not have the
financial means or infrastructure to deal with the crisis.
financial means or infrastructure to deal with the crisis.
Public denial of the virus has also
played a role in increasing the number of cases, Mr Ahmed said.
played a role in increasing the number of cases, Mr Ahmed said.
“This is the real problem facing
Iraq … Tribal and religious leaders should send their followers clear
messages of adherence to the official health policies, “he said.
Iraq … Tribal and religious leaders should send their followers clear
messages of adherence to the official health policies, “he said.
Baghdad officials must allow “the
international community to help it, and Iraq must be more diligent in dealing
with the situation,” Mr Ahmed said.
international community to help it, and Iraq must be more diligent in dealing
with the situation,” Mr Ahmed said.
