Skip to main content

Iraq faces a new wave of COVID-19 cases amid great challenges

The Iraqi Ministry of Health worries that too many Iraqis are disregarding public health guidance and refusing to get vaccinated.

An Iraqi medic picks an oxygen bottle for a COVID-19 patient at a hospital in the northern Iraqi city of Dohuk.
An Iraqi medic picks an oxygen bottle for a COVID-19 patient at a hospital in the northern Iraqi city of Dohuk, about 260 miles (430 kilometers) northwest of the capital, on July 27, 2021. - More than 1.5 million people have now tested positive in Iraq, where the health infrastructure is dilapidated and much of the 40 million population remains skeptical of vaccines. — SAFIN HAMED/AFP via Getty Images

Iraq's alarming rise in the number of coronavirus cases and deaths pushed the parliament's Crisis Committee to meet on July 26 to study the situation. Technical Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health Dr. Hani Al-Aqabi warned Iraqis on July 23 about the seriousness of the pandemic in the country, as hospitals have become overcrowded with infected patients.

On July 23, Dhi Qar Gov. Ahmed al-Khafaji announced that those who are unvaccinated would not be allowed to enter the province. Karbala province is relying on security forces to force citizens to comply with preventive measures.  

Related Topics

Subscribe for unlimited access

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more

$14 monthly or $100 annually ($8.33/month)
OR

Continue reading this article for free

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more.

By signing up, you agree to Al-Monitor’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Already have an account? Log in