BAGHDAD

Iraq on Thursday reported 4,755 new cases of the novel coronavirus, the country’s highest single-day increase, bringing the total number to 247,039, the country’s Health Ministry said.

In a statement, the Health Ministry said the death toll in the country rose to 7,275, as 74 more people died over the past day.

As many as 3,552 more patients recovered over the past 24 hours, pushing the total number of recoveries to 187,757.

The rise in daily infections comes as the government relaxed restrictions to curb the virus and the country has lately been recording more than four thousand cases per day.

Fears of the collapse of Iraq’s health system loom as the country continues to recover from decades of wars, corruption, and instability.

* Ibrahim Mukhtar contributed to this report from Ankara