Turkey reports 127 new Coronavirus deaths; total tally soars to 2,017

Turkey’s health minister says a total of 2,017 people have died of the coronavirus, with 127 new deaths in the last 24 hours.

Fahrettin Koca, in figures tweeted Sunday, said 3,977 new infections were confirmed in the past day, bringing the total number to 86,306. Confirmed cases in Turkey have surpassed the rates in neighboring Iran, according to John Hopkins University’s data on the coronavirus pandemic.

The minister also said 11,976 people have recovered so far in Turkey, including 1,523 in the past 24 hours. A weekend lockdown in 31 Turkish provinces is nearing its end, after which people between the ages of 20 and 65 can move around. But the government has urged people to stay at home and hopes the rate of infections will reach its peak in the coming days.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.