Iraq's COVID-19 cases close to 1,700, death toll at 83

The Iraqi Health Ministry on Thursday confirmed 46 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 1,677 in the country.

The new cases included 17 in the capital Baghdad, 10 in Babil, nine in Najaf, seven in Basra and one in each of Salahudin, Maysan and Muthanna, the ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, 83 patients have so far died from the disease, while 1,171 others recovered, the statement said, adding that no death was registered during the day.

The Iraqi authorities have taken several measures to contain the outbreak of COVID-19, including imposing a nationwide curfew.

The measures also included continuously preventing internal and external travels as well as the movement between the provinces.

On April 20, a third batch of Chinese medical aid arrived in Baghdad as part of China's assistance to boost Iraq's capability to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.

China sent the first batch of medical aid to Iraq on March 7, with a medical team of seven Chinese experts to work with their Iraqi counterparts to fight the coronavirus. The second batch of Chinese aid arrived on April 8.