BAGHDAD, Iraq

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Iraq has risen to six, the country’s Health Ministry said on Thursday.

A ministry spokesman said a young man who recently came back from Iran tested positive for the virus in the capital Baghdad.

“The patient has been placed in quarantine and is receiving proper treatment at a hospital in Baghdad,” Dr. Saif Al-Badr told reporters.

On Wednesday, Iraqi authorities closed all universities and schools for 10 days, and announced a travel ban for nine countries including Iran, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Kuwait.

Iraq is among over 35 countries which account for the nearly 80,000 COVID-19 cases confirmed around the world.

The global death toll is nearly 2,800, and China, where the outbreak originated, is the worst-hit with more than 78,000 cases and over 2,700 fatalities.

The World Health Organization declared the outbreak an international health emergency and said the global risk level remains high.


*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara