Thu 20 February 2020:
The Maysan province in Iraq decided Thursday to close its border with Iran because of fears of the spread of the new coronavirus in Iraq.
Local Iraqi media reported the Ministry of Health decided to prevent Iranian citizens from entering the country until further notice.
The measure comes after the death of two Iranians to coronavirus in the city of Qom, in addition to three new cases Thursday.
The southern province confirmed the al-Sheib border crossing was closed Thursday to passengers and commerce.
Authorities in southeast Wasit province, urged the government close the Zurbatiyah border crossing with Iran to prevent the spread of the virus, officially known as COVID-19.
In Najaf, officials there also warned of traveling to Qom.
The death toll in China from the virus outbreak rose to 2,120, the country’s National Health Commission said Thursday.
The commission said there are 11,864 confirmed cases of the virus, while more than 126,000 people are currently under medical care.
More than 16,000 people have been discharged from hospitals after successfully recovering.
According to the latest reports, 114 people have died in the past 24 hours.
In an earlier statement, Chinese health authorities said the virus posed more of a risk to the elderly, men and those suffering from diseases.
It has spread to more than 20 other countries including the U.S., the U.K., Singapore, France, Russia, Spain and India.
Many countries, including Turkey, have evacuated their citizens from the city of Wuhan – the epicenter of the virus – and other affected areas of China, placing them under quarantine and monitoring.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak an international health emergency.
-Source: Anadolu Agency
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