Turkey virus cases overtake Iran to become region’s highest

ANKARA - Turkey’s confirmed coronavirus cases have risen to 82,329, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Saturday, overtaking neighbouring Iran for the first time to register the highest total in the Middle East.

Specialists believe that Turkey has not yet witnessed the peak of its COVID-19 epidemic as the virus is expected to infect large numbers in the coming weeks, given an uptick in testing.

Turkey recorded an increase of 3,783 confirmed cases within 24 hours, which also brought it closer to the total number of cases in China where the disease appeared.

"121 people died between Friday and Saturday, which brought the total number of deaths in the country to 1,890," Kuja said. 1,822 patients have recovered so far and the number of examinations conducted in 24 hours had reached 40,520.

The coronavirus, which has so far killed more than 150,000 people worldwide, continues to spread rapidly in Turkey despite authorities claiming to have it under control.

Although Ankara recently announced medical assistance to several countries, including Israel, it has so far failed, according to figures, to control the epidemic at home.

Analysts believe that Turkey is seeking, through the channeling of aid to other countries, to polish its image and promote itself as a coherent humanitarian force in light of the crisis.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has always been accustomed to exploiting crises to polish his image.

A few weeks ago, Turkey was accused of piracy after blocking a shipment of medical equipment destined for Spain.

Diplomats explained that Turkey's detention of the gear, purchased by Spain from China, was primarily motivated by health official’s growing concerns over their government’s ability to prevent the health system from collapsing.

Tens of thousands of Turks, along with most prominent opposition parties, have criticised Erdogan’s virus response, with political opponents lamenting the president’s aid to those abroad and disdain for his own citizens.

The coronavirus has also caused turmoil within the Turkish government after Turkish Interior Minister Suleiman Soylu announced his resignation against the backdrop of the lockdown, which caused chaos among Turks.

Turkey announced a 15-day extension of restrictions on movement by land, air and sea in 31 states, the Turkish Ministry of Interior confirmed on Saturday.