Iraq Boosts Fight against COVID-19 with 20 New Hospitals

An Iraqi phlebotomist holds a test tube containing a blood sample of a recovered COVID-19 patient at the blood bank of Iraq's southern city of Nasiriyah, on June 24, 2020. (AFP)
An Iraqi phlebotomist holds a test tube containing a blood sample of a recovered COVID-19 patient at the blood bank of Iraq's southern city of Nasiriyah, on June 24, 2020. (AFP)
TT
20

Iraq Boosts Fight against COVID-19 with 20 New Hospitals

An Iraqi phlebotomist holds a test tube containing a blood sample of a recovered COVID-19 patient at the blood bank of Iraq's southern city of Nasiriyah, on June 24, 2020. (AFP)
An Iraqi phlebotomist holds a test tube containing a blood sample of a recovered COVID-19 patient at the blood bank of Iraq's southern city of Nasiriyah, on June 24, 2020. (AFP)

Iraq has dedicated 20 new hospitals to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic, while announcing that it has recorded 2,179 new cases, 1,623 more recoveries and 103 deaths.

Technical Deputy of the Ministry of Environment Dr. Jassim Al-Falahi told the Iraqi News Agency on Thursday that the ministry seeks to increase the bed capacity to receive all coronavirus cases.

He added that a total of 20 hospitals will start operating in the coming period, which would increase the bed capacity to meet the demand.

On the decision to shut all private clinics for two weeks, Falahi explained it was due to some clinics treating COVID-19 cases in violation of orders.

He further said that clinics are not the right place to provide treatment for coronavirus infections or suspected cases, stressing that the purpose behind this decision is to guarantee the safety of doctors and individuals.

Falahi underlined the importance of abiding by the health and personal hygiene instructions, in addition to social distancing to curb the outbreak of COVID-19.

He added that Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi inaugurated during the past days Al-Ataa hospital, located in Sadr City.

The Iraqi Ministry of Health and Environment announced that health officials had confirmed more than 2,000 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total to 69,612 cases.



France Says Algeria Threatening to Expel Diplomatic Staff 

This handout photograph released by French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) shows France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot meeting with Algeria's Foreign Minister at the ministry headquarters in Algiers on April 6, 2025. (AFP Photo / Handout / Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)
This handout photograph released by French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) shows France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot meeting with Algeria's Foreign Minister at the ministry headquarters in Algiers on April 6, 2025. (AFP Photo / Handout / Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)
TT
20

France Says Algeria Threatening to Expel Diplomatic Staff 

This handout photograph released by French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) shows France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot meeting with Algeria's Foreign Minister at the ministry headquarters in Algiers on April 6, 2025. (AFP Photo / Handout / Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)
This handout photograph released by French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) shows France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot meeting with Algeria's Foreign Minister at the ministry headquarters in Algiers on April 6, 2025. (AFP Photo / Handout / Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)

France said on Monday that Algeria had threatened to expel 12 of its diplomatic staff and that it would take immediate reprisals should that occur in the latest flare-up between them.

Algeria protested over the weekend against Frances's detention of an Algerian consular agent suspected of involvement in the kidnapping of an Algerian. French media said three people, including the diplomat, were under investigation over the seizure of Algerian government opponent Amir Boukhors.

"The Algerian authorities are demanding that 12 of our agents leave Algerian territory within 48 hours," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in a statement.

"If the decision to expel our agents is maintained, we will have no choice but to respond immediately."

There was no immediate confirmation from Algeria of an imminent expulsion.

France's relations with its former colony have long been complicated, but took a turn for the worse last year when French President Emmanuel Macron angered Algeria by backing Morocco's position over the disputed Western Sahara region.

Only last week, Barrot had said ties were returning to normal after a visit to Algeria.