Turkey: Dorms for virus patients if home measures fail

ANKARA

Turkey on Friday began new measures to stem the spread of coronavirus, mandating quarantining at dormitories and hostels for patients who violate home-based self-isolation.

COVID-19 patients and those at risk for the disease who violate isolation conditions or who are not able to ensure proper conditions will be placed in dormitories and hostels designated by local governors, said an Interior Ministry circular sent to all 81 of Turkey’s provinces nationwide.

Personnel, security, and healthcare workers will be appointed to the dormitories and hostels by the governors, while no visitors will be accepted, according to the circular.

Cleaning services and other logistical needs of these facilities will be met by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

Turkey on Thursday reported 1,512 new cases of the novel coronavirus, and more than 1,200 recoveries. The country's overall infection count reached 286,455, according to Health Ministry data.

The global pandemic has claimed nearly 910,000 lives in 188 countries and regions since it originated in Wuhan, China last December.

The US, India, Brazil, Russia, and Peru are currently the worst-hit countries.

Nearly 28.2 million COVID-19 cases have been reported worldwide, with recoveries exceeding 19 million, the Johns Hopkins data says.

*Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur