The fluctuations in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Turkey are within the expected range, the country's health minister said on Wednesday.
"No surprises, we are within the expected range [of fluctuations]. Not going outside of this is up to you," meaning the public, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca told a news conference following a virtual meeting of the country’s Coronavirus Science Board.
Koca has stressed that as Turkey relaxes virus-related restrictions, the public must continue such measures as wearing masks and maintaining social distance to ensure the virus does not flare up.
The total number of registered coronavirus cases in Turkey rose to 182,727 as 1,429 more people tested positive for the virus, Koca said.
Turkey ranks number 51 worldwide in terms of the number of cases per capita, with 2,151 confirmed coronavirus cases per 1 million people, he underlined.
Turkey's death toll from COVID-19 reached 4,861 as 19 more people died over the past 24 hours, while it ranks 47th in global coronavirus mortality rates, with 57 virus deaths per 1 million people, he said.
The highest mortality rate is in the northern Gumushane province with 12.4%; the lowest is in southeastern Kilis province with 0.33%.
The tally of COVID-19 recoveries in Turkey rose to 154,640 with 1,261 additions in the last 24 hours, he added.
Commenting on developments on the COVID-19 vaccine, Koca said one of the two studies could reach the clinical study phase in September and one in October.
He added: "There is no decrease in the potency of the virus, but there is a significant increase in the effectiveness of medical treatment."
Meanwhile, the wearing of face masks in public has been made mandatory in 45 provinces. Ankara, Istanbul and Bursa were added to the list, although the rise in cases in Istanbul is not significant, the Coronavirus Science Board said.
After originating in China last December, COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, has spread to at least 188 countries and regions. The US, Brazil and Russia are currently the hardest-hit in the world.
The pandemic has killed over 445,000 people worldwide with more than 8.26 million confirmed cases, while recoveries have surpassed 4 million, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University of the US.
