Iraq: UK variant accounts for more than 50 per cent of latest coronavirus cases, minister says

New nationwide curfew declared to control spread of disease

A member of the Iraqi security forces stands guard in Baghdad during a curfew imposed from February 18, 2021 to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The curfew runs all day from Friday to Sunday, and from 8pm to 5am the rest of the week. REUTERS

Security forces patrol in the streets of Baghdad at the start of the new curfew to counter the spread of Covid-19. Iraq re-imposed partial lockdown measures until early March after detecting a new strain of the coronavirus, including among children. AP Photo

Security forces close off streets in Baghdad at the start of the new curfew to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Iraq. AP Photo

Tahrir Square remains empty at the start of the new curfew to counter Covid-19 in Baghdad, Iraq. Mosques and schools are closed, large gatherings prohibited, and the wearing of masks and other protective gear will be enforced, according to a statement from the government. AP Photo

Iraqi security forces stand guard during a Covid-19 curfew in Baghdad, Iraq. REUTERS

An motorcyclist rides down an empty street in Karbala during a nighttime curfew imposed by Iraqi authorities to curb the spread of the Covid-19. AFP

Police question a civilian in Baghdad after the start of the new curfew to prevent the spread of Covid-19. AP Photo

The Saadoun tunnel in Baghdad is empty after the start of a new curfew in Iraq to prevent the spread of Covid-19. AP Photo

Iraqi security forces patrol the streets during a curfew, which was imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Baghdad, Iraq. REUTERS

Iraqi police officers stand guard on a street after the start of a Covid-19 curfew in Baghdad. Reuters

Iraqi police man a checkpoint during a nightime curfew imposed by authorities to curb the spread of the Covid-19. AFP

Iraqi police patrol a street in Baghdad during a nightime curfew. AFP

More than 50 per cent of new coronavirus cases in Iraq during the past three days are from the UK variant, Health Minister Hassan Al Timimi said on Thursday.

"We have witnessed a rapid outbreak of the new strain during the last three days," Mr Al Timimi said.

Young people and children recorded the highest number of infections, he said, and urged the public to follow government coronavirus guidelines to minimise its impact as the UK variant appears to be significantly more transmissible than many other forms of Covid-19.

An Iraqi medic takes a nasal swab from a woman in Iraq's central shrine city of Najaf, during the nationwide lockdown to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. AFP

An Iraqi man reads the Koran in an almost empty mosque, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during the holy month of Ramadan in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq. REUTERS

A street at Karada district in central Baghdad, Iraq. The Iraqi authorities announced that coronavirus curfew will be lifted partially in all Iraq during the holy month of Ramadan. EPA

A nurse wearing protective suit and face mask sprays a girl who was infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and has recovered, with sterile water, in quarantine ward, at a hospital in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq. REUTERS

A member of a medical team that works with mobile coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing units wears protective gear as he takes a swab from a person to track new cases of COVID-19, in Najaf, Iraq. REUTERS

A member of a medical team that works with mobile coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing units wears protective gear as he takes a swab from a child to track new cases of COVID-19, in Najaf, Iraq. REUTERS

Nurses and volunteers wearing protective suits and face masks are seen, as puppets perform to entertain children who were infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and have recovered in a quarantine ward, at a hospital in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq. REUTERS

Chinese embassy officials attend the arrival of medical aid at Baghdad Airport in Iraq. Medical aid from the People's Republic of China arrived in Baghdad on Monday to help Iraq curb the spread of the coronavirus. AP

An Iraqi medic takes the temperature of a woman in Iraq's central shrine city of Najaf, during the nationwide lockdown to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. AFP

A barber wearing a protective face mask cuts the hair of a policeman, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), near the old bridge in the old city of Mosul, Iraq. REUTERS

An Iraqi couple is seen at their wedding during a curfew imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the holy city of Kerbala, Iraq. REUTERS

Priest Martin Beni takes part in a Holy Friday ceremony, the Deposition of Christ, held during a curfew to help fight the spread of the coronavirus in almost empty Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad, Iraq. AP

An Iraqi man sells coffee in the capital Baghdad's now deserted al-Mutanabbi street known for its book sellers, during the novel coronavirus pandemic crisis that urged authorities to shut down social gathering places in a bid to slow its spread among the population. AFP

An Iraqi man walks past the closed Haydar-Khana mosque in the capital Baghdad, during the novel coronavirus pandemic crisis that urged authorities to shut down social gathering places in a bid to slow its spread among the population. AFP

Iraqi civil defence workers sanitise the Tweirij district between Hilla and the southern Iraqi shrine city of Karbala against the spread of the coronavirus pandemic,. According to the last toll published this week by Iraq's health ministry there have been so far 1,378 COVID-19 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country, of which 78 have die. Iraq has imposed a country-wide curfew since March 17, closed schools and shops and banned all international travel as well as movement between the country's provinces. AFP

Iraqi civil defence workers sanitise the Tweirij district between Hilla and the southern Iraqi shrine city of Karbala against the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the last toll published this week by Iraq's health ministry there have been so far 1,378 COVID-19 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country, of which 78 have died. Iraq has imposed a country-wide curfew since March 17, closed schools and shops and banned all international travel as well as movement between the country's provinces. AFP

“The increasing number of critical cases across the country puts great danger and pressure on health institutions,” he said.

Iraq is one of the hardest-hit countries in the Middle East, with more than 657,000 reported cases and more than 13,000 deaths since the outbreak began.

Health authorities reported 3,896 new cases on Thursday and 16 deaths.

Although the numbers have dropped dramatically in recent weeks, Mr Al Timimi said they could rise again.

The public must avoid “movements between cities as well as gatherings” to reduce the number of infections, he said.

The minister said schools and places where people gather – including mosques and beauty salons – will close to limit the spread of the virus.

Britain and South Africa reported fast-spreading variants of the coronavirus, prompting some nations to ban travel to the two countries.

The Iraqi official said a night curfew will come into place on Thursday across the country.

The curfew will be from 8pm to 5am for a period of two weeks.

There is concern that Iraq's health system will not be able to cope with a major surge of Covid-19 after years of war, UN sanctions, neglect and corruption.

In December, the country said it had agreed with Pfizer to import 1.5 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine.

Pfizer's vaccine must be stored at minus 70°C, a temperature much lower than standard freezers and which forced the company to develop special containers for transport.

Iraq is one of the hottest countries in the world and has a dilapidated power-generation network that results in daily cuts to the mains supply.