CHAIRMAN: DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI

World / Middle East

Iraq reports first coronavirus infection

Published: 22 Feb 2020 - 01:56 pm | Last Updated: 01 Nov 2021 - 01:24 pm
The body temperature of an Iraqi woman returning from Iran is measured upon her arrival at the Najaf International Airport on February 21, 2020, after Iran announced cases of coronavirus infections in the Islamic republic. / AFP / Haidar HAMDANI

The body temperature of an Iraqi woman returning from Iran is measured upon her arrival at the Najaf International Airport on February 21, 2020, after Iran announced cases of coronavirus infections in the Islamic republic. / AFP / Haidar HAMDANI

By Ibrahim Saleh | Anadolu

BAGHDAD: Iraq on Saturday reported its first coronavirus case in the southern Dhi Qar province, according to a local medical source.

The source said an Iraqi student tested positive for the virus after returning from the Iranian city of Qom.

He said the student has been quarantined for further tests.

On Saturday, the Iraqi authorities called on its nationals not to travel to neighboring Iran, where five coronavirus deaths were reported.

The move came after Iraq banned Iranian citizens from entering the country through border terminals for three days.

Coronavirus has spread to more than 25 other countries including the U.S., the U.K., Singapore, France, Russia, Spain and India.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak an international health emergency.

* Bassel Ibrahim contributed to this report from Ankara