People wear masks to help protect them against the spread of coronavirus as they walk on Eminonu Bridge over the Golden Horn in Istanbul. AP
People wear masks to help protect them against the spread of coronavirus as they walk on Eminonu Bridge over the Golden Horn in Istanbul. AP
People wear masks to help protect them against the spread of coronavirus as they walk on Eminonu Bridge over the Golden Horn in Istanbul. AP
People wear masks to help protect them against the spread of coronavirus as they walk on Eminonu Bridge over the Golden Horn in Istanbul. AP

WHO calls on Turkey to follow Covid-19 reporting guidelines


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The World Health Organisation office in Turkey repeated its call for Covid-19 cases and deaths to be reported in line with the agency's guidelines to "harmonise data collection and response measures".

Last week, Turkey's health minister revealed the daily Covid-19 figures published by the ministry since July 29 reflected only patients with symptoms, not asymptomatic positive cases.

Critics questioned the veracity of Turkey's reported cases and deaths.

  • A teacher conducts online classes from an empty classroom at the Santa Maria school in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Getty Images
    A teacher conducts online classes from an empty classroom at the Santa Maria school in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Getty Images
  • A health worker collects a nasal swab sample from a resident in Mumbai as India's death toll rom Covid-19 passed 100,000 on October 3, 2020. AFP
    A health worker collects a nasal swab sample from a resident in Mumbai as India's death toll rom Covid-19 passed 100,000 on October 3, 2020. AFP
  • Smoke envelops Ramananda Sarkar, 43, as he cremates bodies of Covid-19 victims in Gauhati, India. AP Photo
    Smoke envelops Ramananda Sarkar, 43, as he cremates bodies of Covid-19 victims in Gauhati, India. AP Photo
  • South Korean police officers patrol in Seoul wearing face masks and face shields to protect against the spread of the coronavirus. AP Photo
    South Korean police officers patrol in Seoul wearing face masks and face shields to protect against the spread of the coronavirus. AP Photo
  • Mazatlan FC's coach Francisco Palencia watches his team play an away match against Leon in Guanajuato state, Mexico. AFP
    Mazatlan FC's coach Francisco Palencia watches his team play an away match against Leon in Guanajuato state, Mexico. AFP
  • A woman in Quezon city, Philippines reads a newspaper with a report on US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania contracting coronavirus on the front page. AP Photo
    A woman in Quezon city, Philippines reads a newspaper with a report on US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania contracting coronavirus on the front page. AP Photo
  • A hospital worker attends to a patient in an intensive care unit for people with Covid-19 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. AP Photo
    A hospital worker attends to a patient in an intensive care unit for people with Covid-19 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. AP Photo
  • A man wearing a mask walks past graffiti depicting a globe in the Orcasitas neighbourhood of the Spanish capital Madrid. AP Photo
    A man wearing a mask walks past graffiti depicting a globe in the Orcasitas neighbourhood of the Spanish capital Madrid. AP Photo
  • People wearing masks walk on a street in downtown Los Angeles, California. AFP
    People wearing masks walk on a street in downtown Los Angeles, California. AFP
  • A worker disinfects the seats of a cinema in Cali that reopened following the easing of coronavirus restrictions by the Colombian government. AFP
    A worker disinfects the seats of a cinema in Cali that reopened following the easing of coronavirus restrictions by the Colombian government. AFP
  • People enjoy Macumba beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Reuters
    People enjoy Macumba beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Reuters

Last Thursday, Turkey's top medical association and the main opposition party criticised the decision by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government to only disclose new cases if the patient showed symptoms.

Members of the Turkish Medical Association and of the Republican People's Party said the policy hid the true scale of Turkey's outbreak and was meant to keep the economy moving.

The WHO commended Turkey on its increased testing capacity and contact-tracing efforts and said the country "has been isolating all Covid-19 positive cases, regardless of their symptoms".

The WHO has been consulting with members, including Turkey, to improve reporting and data collection, it said.

The organisation defines confirmed cases as “a person with laboratory confirmation of Covid-19 infection, irrespective of clinical signs and symptoms”.

But last Thursday, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said daily case totals comprised only those who showed symptoms.

Turkey's official numbers from Saturday show 323,014 cases and 8,384 deaths.

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MATCH INFO

What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)